Chinese DM meets Latvian president over ties
Updated: 2012-05-14 21:21
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
RIGA - Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said here Monday that China looks forward to enhancing military exchanges and cooperation with Latvia to boost bilateral military and overall ties.
Liang, the first Chinese defense minister to visit Latvia since the two countries established diplomatic relations, made the remarks during a meeting with President Andris Berzins.
Noting that China-Latvia cooperation in various areas has been fruitful in past years, the minister, who is also a Chinese state counselor, said favorable conditions are now in place for the two sides to further promote their ties.
China, he said, respects Latvia's choice of development path and stands ready to promote mutual understanding and trust and expand practical cooperation.
Berzins, for his part, said that Latvia and China have witnessed long-term steady development of bilateral relations since they established diplomatic ties nearly 21 years ago.
Latvia attaches great importance to its ties with China, the president said, adding that his country is willing to work with China to further promote mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, transportation, culture, education and defense.
The two nations need to further tap their cooperation potential so as to lift their bilateral ties to higher levels, he said.
Liang is currently on a three-nation tour that first took him to the United States. He will visit Poland after concluding his tour in Latvia.
Today's Top News
President Xi confident in recovery from quake
H7N9 update: 104 cases, 21 deaths
Telecom workers restore links
Coal mine blast kills 18 in Jilin
Intl scholarship puts China on the map
More bird flu patients discharged
Gold loses sheen, but still a safe bet
US 'turns blind eye to human rights'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
All-out efforts to save lives |
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |