Adamkus said he was pleased to make a stop in Iceland to meet Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, on his way to New York for the upcoming U.N. Millennium Summit.

China, as a big country, pays great importance and respect to small states like Lithuania, which clearly reflects China's consistent principle of equally treating all countries and has gained his own and his people's appreciation, said the president.

Mentioning the good basis of Sino-Lithuanian relations and a series of bilateral agreements, Adamkus hoped the two sides could expand their cooperation in politics, economy, culture and other fields.

Talking about international situation, Li said peace and development remain the two main themes of the times.

With the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the world is not tranquil and regional conflicts break out from time to time, he noted.

The economic development of all countries is not balanced, with disparity between the poor and the rich widening, he said.

Political multipolarization and economic globalization continue to develop, he noted, adding that some basic principles should be stressed during this process, such as treating all countries as equals irrespective of their sizes, wealth and strength, respect for sovereignty of all countries and their rights to choose independently their road of development in accordance with their own reality.

It is under these principles that China recognized three Baltic countries, developed diplomatic relations with them quickly and committed itself to developing friendly cooperation with them.

Li stressed that China will adhere to the peaceful foreign policy of independence and self-determination, wishing to develop friendship with all countries in the world. Differences in ideology and social systems could not obstruct developing friendly relationship between the two countries.

China has no fundamental interest conflict with Lithuania, Li said, adding that maintaining and developing friendly relationship between China and Lithuania coincides with the common interests of the two countries.

Li also said China and the three Baltic countries should consolidate and expand the achievements that leaders of the three countries have made through visits to China, continue enlarging cooperation in all fields, and deepen friendship between the peoples of China and Baltic countries.

Li said he understands and respects the efforts the Baltic countries have made to join the European Union. He also praised Lithuania for its one-China policy.

Adamkus said he agreed with Li Peng's comprehensive elaboration of the principles of international relations, and expressed his gratitude to China for its respect of the sovereignty of the three Baltic countries and its friendship to the three peoples.

He hoped Lithuania and China would further their cooperation in economic and other fields and cooperate more closely in international arenas such as the United Nations.

(People’s Daily 09/05/2000)