Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Albanian counterpart Kastriot Islami held talks in Beijing Sunday.

Li said Albania is one of the countries who established diplomatic ties with China soon after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 and the people of the two countries enjoy traditional friendship.

Bilateral ties are going smoothly and the two countries have had fruitful cooperation, said Li. He said he believes the bilateral friendship and cooperation will gain new achievements through the efforts of the two countries.

He thanked Albania for its adherence to the one-China policy.

Islami said bilateral relations have gone smoothly since the two nations established diplomatic ties.

Albania is willing to further the exchanges and cooperation, said Islami. He said he believed sound political ties will enhance economic relations.

He reiterated the Albanian government's one-China policy, saying that the Albanian government supports China's reunification.

Islami started his visit to China Wednesday at the invitation of Li.

(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2004)