Top Chinese military official meets Lithuanian leaders

Visiting Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou discussed bilateral ties and cooperation on Monday with Lithuanian leaders.

During the meeting with Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Irena Degutiene, Xu said that China and Lithuania have enjoyed a good development momentum in bilateral ties since they established diplomatic relations over 20 years ago.

The two sides have seen their high-level exchanges steadily increasing, and mutual understanding and trust deepening, especially in recent years, said Xu.

He said China attaches great importance to its ties with Lithuania and appreciates Lithuania's adherence to the "one-China" policy, adding that the Chinese side respects Lithuania's choice for the road of development, which suits its national conditions, as well as its domestic and foreign policies.

The Chinese military wished to enhance military exchanges and cooperation with the Lithuanian side to push forward bilateral military relations to a new high, he said.

Degutiene said exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries have been frequent, and that economic and trade cooperation has increasingly enhanced.

Lithuania appreciates China's contribution to the promotion of global security and stability, and is ready to further augment mutual understanding and trust and make more contribution to the deepening of the China-EU strategic partnership, said Degutiene.

When meeting with Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, Xu said Lithuania has become China's largest trading partner in the Baltic region, with fruitful achievements in cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, transportation, communication and agriculture.

He stressed that China has always adhered to the path of peaceful development and pursued a defensive national defense policy.

The Chinese military is willing to cooperate with its Lithuanian counterpart in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, he said.

For his part, Kubilius spoke highly of China's contribution to the development of the global economy.

He said Lithuania values its ties with China and hopes to lift bilateral cooperation in various areas, including the military field, to a new level.

At the meeting with National Defense Minister Rasa Jukneviciene, Xu expressed China's appreciation at Lithuania's support on issues concerning China's core interest and major concerns.

Jukneviciene said Lithuania and China have consolidated political mutual trust in recent years, adding that Xu's visit would promote cooperation between defense departments of the two countries.

Xu left Beijing on July 6 for official goodwill visits to Lithuania and Belarus.