“The recent years mark the new level of Lithuania-China relations. The increasing number of meetings with high-level managers takes place both in Lithuania and China. I warmly remember the successful meeting of the heads of state of “China +16” countries in the city of Suzhou, in China, as well as the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference this March, where with the Prime Minister of China we discussed the possibilities of Lithuanian export development to China”, said Prime Minister Butkevičius at the meeting.
During the meeting it was also emphasised that with the strengthening of Lithuania-China relations new opportunities open up for business, agricultural export and mutual relations between the academic communities of both countries as well as for cultural relations.
The Head of Government has underlined that reciprocating visits from China are already taking place after the last Prime Minister’s visit to Hong Kong. “During my visit in China in March I went to Hong Kong, where I met with Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong, Gregory So Kam-leung, and the Secretary visited Vilnius last week with a delegation. We have also received a reciprocating visit from the management of the Chinese company C-TRIP, and the development of the cooperation with the state-owned corporation China Merchants Group has been successful”, said the Lithuanian Prime Minister.
The successful multilateral cooperation was also mentioned at the meeting – Lithuania welcomes the China’s +16 mechanism and sees a huge potential in strengthening the economic, trade, infrastructural and cultural relations between Lithuania, the EU and China. “I would like to once again emphasize that Lithuania stands ready to hold in 2017 China + 16 transport ministers meeting and business forum for transport, infrastructure and logistics. We ask for support for this initiative”, said the Head of Government, noting that Lithuania attaches great importance to China’s strategic initiative One Belt – One Road.
“Lithuania’s geographical location and infrastructure advantages can be utilized as a cargo transit gateway for China’s business to the EU and Scandinavian markets. This has already been evidenced by the settlement of the Chinese company CMG in Vilnius and Klaipėda. We greatly value their agreement with AB Lithuanian Railways to set up a joint freight forwarding company by the end of the year. This would demonstrates CMG’s firm resolve to establish a regional Silk Road stop in our country”, said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister proposed signing a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the China, Lithuania and Belarus on cooperation in the development of the logistic chain of China-Belarus-Lithuania and Lithuania-Belarus-China. This document will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the Silk Road initiative. China’s State Council Member Yang Jing said that China was open to such a proposal.
On economic relations, it was noted that Lithuanian exports accounted for 16 percent growth last year, but Chinese imports into Lithuania remain significantly higher. It is expected that with the establishment of business contacts in China for the export of dairy products, this trend will change. The Head of the Lithuanian Government also pointed out that Lithuania seeks active cooperation from the Chinese side on the possibility of export of Lithuanian beef.
Other issues on the agenda included possibilities to expand partnership in life sciences. “Lithuania is ready to export high value-added, high-tech goods. Every tenth scientific laser sold in the world is made in Lithuania. World acclaimed Lithuanian lasers are exported to 100 countries and comprises 86 percent of total laser output, whose average yearly growth accounts for more than 15 per cent. Laser exports to China no stand at 5 per cent, but we see much greater potential in this area”, said the Lithuanian Prime Minister.
The Head of Government invited China’s academic and scientific community to come to Baltic region’s largest life sciences forum Life Sciences Baltics to be held on 14-15 September this year in Vilnius.
