Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward a four-point proposal to promote relations with Latvia in Beijing Thursday during talks with visiting Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga.
The four points are to enhance political trust by promoting exchanges of visits and dialogues, to seek means to further economic and trade cooperation, to expand cooperation on transportation and tourism, and to have more cultural exchanges to push forward mutual understanding and friendship.
Hu said that China and Latvia have improved trust and economic and trade cooperation since the two countries normalized diplomatic ties, adding that China attaches importance to the relations with Latvia and respects the choice of its people on developing their own country.
He also expressed gratitude for the support of Latvia on the Taiwan and Tibet issues, and said that China would further the relations with Latvia and Europe after Latvia joined the European Union.
Vike-Freiberga said that China is Latvia's important partner in Asia, and developing the relations with China has been a priority of Latvia's foreign strategy. She said Latvia viewed highly of the role China has played in the international affairs.
Vike-Freiberga said that Latvia will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, and support China's reunification cause. She voiced her belief that Sino-Latvia relations would march onto a new stage after Latvia joined the EU.
After the talks, the two sides signed six documents including an agreement on visa exemption between the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) and Latvia.
(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2004)