Premier Li Keqiang hailed cooperation between China and Lithuania, China’s largest trade partner among three Baltic countries, during a meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius on Nov 25 in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

Next year will see the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Lithuania, which, the Premier said, would be an opportunity for both sides to expand communication and cooperation and bring the friendship to a new stage.

Premier Li said both countries should make efforts in development coordination and Asia-Europe traffic integration by promoting cooperation in China-Europe freight train lines, Rail Baltica projects, and construction of port and industrial parks.

Cooperation should also be strengthened in cross-border RMB settlement, e-commerce cooperation, agricultural trade, culture and education, tourism, and local exchanges, he said.

Butkevicius sent his congratulations to host country China at the Fourth Leaders’ Meeting of China and Central and Eastern European Countries.

He said China is an important partner for Lithuania and praised the progress of bilateral cooperation in politics, economy, and culture and education.

Lithuania is willing to continue cooperation with China in strengthening bilateral political dialogues, promoting pragmatic cooperation in trade and agriculture, and celebrating next year’s 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties, he said.