The parliament speakers of seven countries from the Baltic and Nordic regions of Europe have met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. They're in China to discuss projects such as the Belt & Road initiative and Arctic Circle protection, as well as getting a taste of the local culture. Xu Xinchen has more.

The parliament speakers of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland, as well as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were invited by the chairman of the Chinese NPC Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang for a week-long visit, the first time for such a group to arrive in the Chinese capital.

OLEMIC THOMMESSEN SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, NORWAY "This is my first time in China. And I have had a fantastic and overwhelming experience in a positive way. The three days we had so far has given me a new point of view for many things about China."

EVA THALEN FINNE DEPUTY SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, SWEDEN "I would say this trip to me has clearly shown a lot of the positive effects of China's reforms -- that you have opened up to market economy and globalization."

President Xi said their visit was the beginning of a new model for high-level talks between China and the Nordic and Baltic countries. He added that China was always looking to maintain their healthy and sustainable relationship, while the guests said they were keen to continue working with China on the Belt & Road Initiative and protecting the Arctic circle.

INARA MURNIECE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, LATVIA "The Belt and Road Strategy promoted by President Xi presents great opportunity for all of us. And for the Baltic region, it's the silk road and amber road because amber is a semi-precious stone comes from Baltic states, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and let's collide and union those roads, the amber road and the silk road."

MARIA LOHELA SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, FINLAND "All of us are Arctic nations and we are very close to the Arctic circle, so we are taking it very seriously. It's a very fragile and delicate part of the world. It's our responsibility for us that we are treating it sustainably. And we welcome China's input. I think one of the greatest area for cooperation is research to better understand the environment and the conditions around the Arctic."

XU XINCHEN BEIJING Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi also met with the delegation on Monday. They said that China puts high importance on promoting ties with Nordic and Baltic countries in the spirit of mutual respect and is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation. Before wrapping up their visit on Saturday, the Nordic and Baltic Parliament speakers are travelling to Sichuan to experience more local culture. XXC, CGTN, Beijing.