People of Albania and China are enjoying a very sincere friendship although the two countries are much different in size, Albanian President Alfred Moisiu said in his meeting with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu.

 

Moisiu said Albanian people feel cheerful at the wonders China has done in its economic reconstruction and satisfied with the role China has played in safeguarding the world and regional peace and stability.

 

"We believe Albania and China could promote the bilateral cooperation into a new phase while maintain the traditional friendships between the two countries," the president said.

 

Hui said that although China and Albania are far away from each other in distance, people of the two countries are enjoying a solid traditional relationship.

 

"The Chinese people wouldn't forget that Albania is one of the first countries which established diplomatic relations with new China when it was founded in 1949," Hui said. "And we will always remember the historical contributions that Albania made to returning China to its legal seat in the United Nations."

 

Hui said that political trustworthiness on the two sides has been deepened and the friendly cooperation between the two countries has been beefed up in recent years.

 

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha told Hui Liangyu in their meeting that the potential of Sino-Albanian cooperation is great, saying Albania is willing to enhance the cooperation between the sides in the sectors that both sides are interested in.

 

Berisha highlighted that Albania will unswervingly stick to the one-China policy for which Hui expressed his thanks and appreciation.

 

Earlier in the day, Hui and Albanian Deputy Prime Minister IlirRusmajli held talks and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern. After the talks, the two vice prime ministers attended the signing ceremony of the Sino-Albanian Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2006)