Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said in Riga 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.
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