China proposes strengthening economic cooperation with Latvia

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao proposed in Beijing Friday to visiting Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga that the two countries should promote bilateral relations through strengthening economic relations. In a brief meeting with the Latvian president, Wen said China and Latvia can have "mutually beneficial" cooperation in areas like trade, transportation, environmental protection and information technology. The Latvian president began her eight-day state visit to China on Sunday. She visited Shanghai and Xi'an cities before arriving in Beijing. She will also visit Hong Kong. Two-way trade between Latvia and China totaled 130 million US dollars last year, up 78 percent year on year, or 40 times more than that 10 years ago when the two countries normalized relations. In a speech at the prestigious Qinghua University Wednesday, Vike-Freiberga said economic cooperation between Latvia and China has a "promising potential." The Latvian government is eager to strengthen economic ties andpolitical contacts with China to establish a closer partnership, she said. Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward a four-point proposal Thursday to promote relations with Latvia during talks with her. The proposal is 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 China respects the choice of the Latvian people on developing their own country. He also expressed gratitude for the support of Latvia on the Taiwan and Tibet issues. The Chinese president told Vike-Freiberga that China would further promote relations with Latvia and Europe after Latvia joins the European Union (EU).