On February 26th, the plane carrying Macedonian President Trajkovski to an international conference crushed on its way to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Chinese Government was deeply shocked and grieved. China's President Hu Jintao has sent a telegraph of condolence to the Speaker of the Macedonian Parliament Jordanovski, who is now serving as acting president, to express our sorrow.

President Trajkovski was an outstanding statesman of Macedonia. He had made unremitting efforts for the stability in southeast Europe and the development of Macedonia. President Trajkovski was a close friend of the Chinese people. When China-Macedonia relations were in difficulty, he resolutely adhered to the one-China policy. After the normalization of China-Macedonia relations, he paid a successful visit to China in 2002, which vigorously pushed forward the development of China-Macedonian relations. The Chinese Government and people speak highly of the remarkable contribution by President Trajkovski in strengthening the friendship between the peoples of China and Macedonia, and are grateful to his invaluable support for China's reunification cause. We firmly believe that the China-Macedonia relations based on mutual respect, equality and reciprocity will enjoy further development.