Li Peng, chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, told Arvydas Vidziunas, vice-chairman of Lithuania's Parliament, that the NPC is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with Lithuania and other countries along the Baltic Sea.

He made the remarks in his meeting with Vidziunas in Beijing on January 18.

"China is ready to carry out exchanges at various levels so as to enhance friendship and cooperation," he said, adding that such contacts can bring the relationship between China and these countries to a new level.

Li told the guests that Sino-Lithuanian ties have developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1991. "China is ready to develop friendly cooperation with Lithuania on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence so that the China-Lithuania relationship can see greater growth in the new century," he said.

Li also briefed the guests China's situation, in particular China's strategies for properly handling the relationship between reform, development and stability.

Vidziunas stressed that the growth of relations with China, a country which plays a major role on the world stage, constituted an important part of Lithuania's foreign policy. Lithuania is a young country and thus pays attention to the actions of other countries, including China, so as to learn from them. He also told Li that there was substantial progress in the exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries.

Vidziunas also conveyed regards from Lithuanian Parliament Chairman Vytautas Landsbergis to Li and invited Li to visit Lithuania on Landsbergis's behalf. Li accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The delegation is visiting China at the invitation of NPC's China-Lithuania Friendship Group.