Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held a working meeting on Tuesday in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao - the second one in two weeks' time.

The two premiers have reaffirmed the high level of favourable political ties established between the two countries, which are being developed in the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding and trust, the government's press service said.

The interlocutors underscored the preparedness and determination for advancing and intensifying economic relations, enhancing economic cooperation, bolstering trade exchange and cooperation in relation to investments.

PM Gruevski informed about reforms and modernization bids being implemented in Macedonia. On our part, a gratitude was expressed for the consistent and constructive support by China for Macedonia and its principled use of the constitutional name in bilateral ties and at international plan.

The Macedonian premier accentuated and presented the economic aspect of his visit aimed at outlining the opportunities for attracting Chinese investments in Macedonia.

Given the initiative by PM Jiabao on close economic cooperation between China and countries from Eastern and Central Europe and allocating 10 billion dollars by the Chinese government to finance projects, Gruevski stressed that Macedonia was fully prepared to be involved.

Talks focused on three projects, which have been presented in the past couple of days by PM Gruevski to Chinese companies and chambers of commerce. They include a major energy project, one in relation to construction of roads and a construction of an industrial park intended only for Chinese companies in Macedonia. In addition to these projects, several smaller ones were also presented that might result in future cooperation between Macedonia and Chinese firms.

PM Jiabao voiced his government's readiness to support and encourage Chinese companies to invest in Macedonia and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Macedonia to investors. He praised the measures taken in the field of industrial zones, adding that Macedonia had make a breakthrough regarding the matter. The Chinese premier also voiced the commitment and willingness by Chinese authorities to be more involved in providing financial and technical assistance to Chinese companies interested to invest in Macedonia, stated the press release.

Both interlocutors welcomed the upward trend in bilateral trade exchange. The premiers of Macedonia and China also commended the extend of political dialogue and bilateral cooperation, concluding that economic cooperation should reflect the favourable political cooperation between the countries.