Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is looking to enhance their strategic partnership under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) while meeting with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in Shanghai on Monday.

Grybauskaite is in Shanghai to attend the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) which runs from Monday through Saturday.

President Xi said China hopes Lithuania will take good advantage of the CIIE to promote its products.

Xi stressed that China has attached great significance to the development of China-Lithuania ties. He calls for both sides to respect each other, deepen mutual trust, earnestly respect and take care of the core interests and major concerns of each other, and always treat and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

He said China is looking to enhance the strategic partnership under the BRI, adding that Lithuania's geographical position is key in helping connect Asia and Europe. He also expressed China's willingness to expand two-way investment and cooperation with Lithuania in e-commerce, financial technology, new energy, laser and agriculture.

He also calls for the two countries to expand people-to-people and cultural exchange, defend multilateralism together, construct an open world economy and build a community with a shared future for mankind. He said China is willing to work with Lithuania to deepen cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe.

The Lithuanian president expressed her excitement regarding China's development and the import expo itself. She said she believes China will keep its door open and that Lithuania treasures every opportunity to work with China.