January 6, 2012, Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao went to the Macedonian Embassy in China and expressed condolences over the passing away of the first President of Macedonia H.E. Mr. Kiro Gligorov. On behalf of the Chinese Government, Song Tao expressed deep condolences, asked Macedonian Ambassador to China H.E. Mr. Oliver Shambevski to convey the sincere condolences to the Macedonian Government, People, and the relatives of H.E. Mr. Kiro Gligorov, and also spoke highly of President Gligorov's contribution to the development of bilateral relations.

Ambassador H.E. Mr. Oliver Shambevski thanked Song Tao to come to the Embassy to express condolences on behalf of the Chinese Government, and said that President Gligorov was a good friend of the Chinese people. The Macedonian leaders has inherited his policy toward China, and are willing to further expand pragmatic bilateral cooperation and promote better development of bilateral relations.