President holds talks with dignitaries

President Xi Jinping said Lithuania can play an important role in Asia-Europe connectivity due to its geographical advantages.

In a meeting with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Xi said China highly values its relationship with the Baltic nation, an important regional partner of China in Eastern Europe.

Both countries should deepen mutual trust, earnestly respect each other and give consideration to each other's core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

The two countries should always regard and handle their relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, he said.

Xi said China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies between the two countries and promote the joint construction of the Belt and Road, as well as the China Railway Express, also known as the China-Europe freight train.

China will expand two-way investment and enhance cooperation with the Baltic country in such areas as e-commerce, financial technologies, new energy and agriculture, he said.

Grybauskaite said the expo is a timely and strategic measure given the current situation, and Xi's speech at the opening ceremony sent out a clear signal of China's continued opening-up, and its support for global free trade and an open world economy.

Lithuania believes that China will always open its door by opening-up and this is a great opportunity for other countries, she said.