External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh on Monday held talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing and exchanged views on a series of issues, including Sino-Indian relations and regional matters of common interest.

The meeting between Natwar and Li, both alumni of the prestigious Beijing University, took place on the sidelines of the 22-member Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Qingdao, east China.

It was the first meeting between Singh and Li after the Manmohan Singh-led government assumed office in New Delhi.

Singh's visit to China comes at a time when both countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, or Panchsheel, jointly initiated by them in 1954.

Later in the day, Singh will hold a 'working lunch' meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.