Chinese FM meets Lithuanian counterpart on ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Sunday in New York with his Lithuanian counterpart, Linas Linkevicius, and the two pledged to promote bilateral relations.

The China-Lithuania relationship has recently returned to a healthy development track thanks to mutual efforts, said Wang, expressing the hope that Lithuania will continue upholding the one China policy so as to safeguard the overall situation of bilateral ties.

"China stands ready to promote cooperation with Lithuania from bilateral, China-Central and Eastern Europe as well as China-European Union levels on the basis of mutual respect," said Wang.

Linkevicius said he is glad that bilateral ties have been put back on track, reiterating that Lithuania will stick to the one China policy and properly handle relevant sensitive issues.

He noted that China is Lithuania's largest trading partner in Asia and that his country attaches great importance to its cooperation with China.

Lithuania, he said, hopes that the two countries will further explore cooperation potential and expand cooperation in such fields as investment, agriculture, technology and education.

Lithuania is ready to play an active part in promoting cooperation between Central and Eastern Europe and China as well as between Europe and China.

Wang will preside over an open UN Security Council debate on Monday in the capacity of the council's rotating president, with the theme of safeguarding international peace and security by reflecting on history and reaffirming the commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Linkevicius said that China's proposal to hold the open debate is "timely and important."

The debate will help review the course of the UN since it was founded 70 years ago and promote the spirit of the UN Charter, said Linkevicius, adding that he believes the event will be a success. Endi