On September 7, 2006, Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Quan met with a joint press delegation from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the office building of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Kong expressed welcome for the visit by the three counties' journalists on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the three Baltic countries. He said the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing ties with the three countries and is ready to take the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to sum up the past experience, make a blueprint for the future, increase exchanges, expand cooperation and push for bilateral ties. Kong indicated the press media has an important role to play in building up understanding and friendship between the people of both sides. It is hoped that the media circles of the three countries will gain an all-round and objective understanding of China through this visit and convey to their people Chinese people's friendly feelings and sincere aspiration for further cooperation of mutual benefit. Kong also took questions from the journalists on bilateral ties and major international and regional issues.

The journalists said with China's rapid development, the public of the three countries hope to learn more about China and this visit will benefit this.

The 9-member delegation is in China for coverage at the invitation of the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Besides Beijing, it will also visit Tibet and Guangdong.