BEIJING -- Top legislator Li Zhanshu met with North Macedonian Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi Monday in Beijing.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, mutually beneficial cooperation between China and North Macedonia has expanded into more fields.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, said Li, adding that China has taken a completely new look under the firm leadership of the Communist Party of China as it adhered to reform and opening up and pioneered a road of socialism with Chinese characteristics in line with national conditions.

Li also said China will always combine its own development with the development of other countries, promote the building of an open world economy and strive to seek development space and institutional rights for developing countries.

"The NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with the Parliament of North Macedonia and provide legal protection for pragmatic cooperation," Li said.

Xhaferi said North Macedonian Parliament will actively support all-around exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, including cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, to advance the bilateral ties to a new level.

Shen Yueyue, the vice chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee, was present during the meeting.