Shaping its relations with the People's Republic of China and its approach to China-related issues, Latvia firmly observes the One-China policy and respects the territorial integrity of the PRC. Latvia values the growing global influence of the PRC and its stabilising role in the region of East Asia. Latvia's accession to the EU has increased the importance that China ascribes to our state. Consequently, bilateral co-operation now presents another dimension - collaboration between the EU and the PRC.

As a consequence of increasing globalisation, the geographic distance, which separates Latvia from China, is no longer an obstacle for the advancement of bilateral relations. Latvian-Chinese bilateral contacts can be described as stable and constructive. Latvia is interested in developing comprehensive and long-term ties with the PRC, especially in economy. Latvia ascribes great significance to the format of political consultations between the foreign ministries of both states, as well as to the promotion of exchange visits between the ministries of other sectors and other state institutions, with the aim of deepening mutual understanding and knowledge about each other.     

Development of relations

In a broader historical perspective, it has been very important for our state that during the years of Latvia's occupation, the Chinese government did not recognise the incorporation of the Republic of Latvia in the USSR. Latvia greatly appreciates the fact that the PRC was among the first countries to recognise the restoration of Latvia's independence. This took place on 7 September 1991. Diplomatic relations between Latvia and the PRC were established on 12 September 1991, when a joint announcement by the governments of both states was adopted to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level. On 10 January 1992, Chen Di, the temporary Charge d'Affaires of the PRC, officially took up his functions in Latvia, whilst in August 1994 the Embassy of the PRC was opened in Riga.    

Ambassadors of the PRC to Latvia:

• Wang Fengxiang (14/03/1995-20/01/1998)
• Yao Peisheng (31/03/1998-12/02/2000)
• Wang Kaiwen (04/04/2000-10/07/2003)
• Ji Yanchi (26/08/2003-30/09/2005)
• Zhang Limin - the present Chinese Ambassador, in office since November 2005.

On 19 December 1994 in Beijing, President Guntis Ulmanis of Latvia and Jiang Zemin, President of the PRC, signed a joint announcement, which established basis for the development of political and economic relations between the two states.  

In 1998, Charge d'Affaires Peteris Pildegovics opened the Latvian Embassy in Beijing. On 25 January 2000, Einars Semanis was accredited as the first Latvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the PRC. Since 1 October 2004, Janis Lovniks serves as the Latvian Ambassador to the PRC.

Since September 2002, Latvia has an Honorary Consul in Hong Kong - Roger King.    

The Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) is represented in China by its Public Representative Helmuts Kols, who resides in Beijing.

Consultations of Latvian and Chinese Foreign Ministries

May 1997	The first inter-ministerial consultations in Beijing; Latvian delegation headed by Maris Riekstins, Foreign Ministry State Secretary.
12 April 2002	The 2nd political consultations between Latvian and Chinese Foreign Ministries in Riga.
14-17 January 2003	Political consultations between Foreign Ministries in Beijing; Latvian delegation headed by Maris Riekstins, Foreign Ministry State Secretary.
13-20 October 2003	The first consular and administrative consultations with Chinese Foreign Ministry. Latvian delegation headed by Peteris Vaivars, Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary of State.
October 2004	The 2nd political, administrative, and consular consultations between Foreign Ministries in Riga.
23-24 February 2006	Consultations between the Security Policy Department of the Foreign Ministry and the Department of External Security of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Riga.
14-18 March 2006	Bilateral political consultations between Foreign Ministries in China; consultations headed by Foreign Ministry State Secretary Normans Penke. (See press releases: Latvia - China bilateral political consultation held in Beijing [16/03/2006]; Ministries of Latvia and China hold political consultation [13/03/2006].)
7 September 2007	Foreign Ministry political consultations in Riga. Latvian delegation headed by Foreign Ministry State Secretary Normans Penke, Chinese delegation - by Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Quan. Chinese delegation meets with Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Eriks Zunda on a courtesy visit (see press release: Latvia and China recognise friendly atmosphere of mutual understanding present in bilateral relations [10/09/2007]).
19-22 October 2007	Foreign Ministry consultations on security policy issues in Beijing. Latvian delegation headed by Foreign Ministry Political Director, Ilgvars Klava, Chinese delegation - by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wu Dawei. During the visit to the PRC, Latvian delegation met with representatives of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Bolat Nurgaliyev, the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Exchange of visits  

Visits by Latvian officials to China

Visits of Chinese officials to Latvia

Meetings within international forums
10 September 2006	President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, during the 6th ASEM (Asia Europe Meeting) in Helsinki, participated in a bilateral meeting with Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of the PRC. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also took part.
28 May 2007	Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks, during the 8th ASEM in Hamburg, as part of the Foreign Ministers' Summit, meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Economic Co-operation

Latvia-China bilateral economic relations are regulated by:

1. Agreement on Economic Co-operation between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the People's Republic of China (in force since 1 December 2004).

2. In accord with article 6 of the agreement, the Latvia-China Joint Committee was established to monitor the operation of the agreement and to examine issues related to its implementation. From the Latvian side, the committee is chaired by Kaspars Gerhards, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics.

Session 4/1 of the committee took place on 15-19 November 2004 in Beijing. Session 5/2 took place on 24-25 August 2005 in Riga.

On 13-14 November 2007 in Beijing, 6^th session of the committee took place, which was headed by Ministry of Economics State Secretary Kaspars Gerhards for the Latvian side. The sides signed session minutes, which identify transport, industry, and tourism as the prospective fields for co-operation. 

• Over recent years, Latvia-China bilateral trade volumes have continued to grow steadily and in 2006 reached over 200 million USD, exceeding the 2005 volumes by 70 million.
• In 2006, exports from Latvia to China grew by 89%, while Chinese imports to Latvia increased by 48%. However, the trade gap is steadily widening: in 2006, imports outpaced exports by 171 million USD, while a year earlier the difference was by 52 million USD smaller.
• Exports of base metals and metal articles have more than doubled, while exports of machinery, equipment, and electrical appliances, as well as export of wood and wooden products have tripled. Exports of textiles and textile articles have decreased considerably - by more than 1 million USD.
• Exports of machinery, equipment, other manufactured articles, as well as metals and metal articles have undergone the most rapid growth - by over 10 million USD.
• The main target sectors for Chinese investment are hotels and restaurants as well as crop growing, market gardening, and horticulture. 

trade with CHINA, Hong Kong, macau and taiwan in 2007, in EUR

(in thousand EUR, data of the Central Statistical Bureau)

China

Total exports	16443.1		Total imports	255008.2
Base metals and articles of base metals	8759.3	53.3%	Machinery and mechanical appliances; electric equipment	82905.5	32.5%
Machinery and mechanical appliances; electric equipment	2441.6	14.8%	Base metals and articles of base metals	49589.6	19.4%
Textiles and textile articles	1726.8	10.5%	Miscellaneous manufactured articles	30894.9	12.1%
Mineral products (fuel, petroleum and petroleum products)	941.6	5.7%	Textiles and textile articles	18754.0	7.4%
Wood and articles of wood	701.7	4.3%	Plastics and plastic articles; rubber and synthetic rubber products	16907.6	6.6%
Other goods	1872.2	11.4%	Other goods	55956.6	21.9%

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Total exports	2943,6		Total imports	15783,1
Machinery and mechanical appliances; electric equipment	1920.0	65.2%	Machinery and mechanical appliances; electric equipment	8157.9	51.7%
Base metals and articles of base metals	343.2	11.7%	Base metals and articles of base metals	1541.1	9.8%
Mineral products (fuel, petroleum and petroleum products)	278.6	9.5%	Precious and semi-precious stones; precious metals	1315.9	8.3%
Textiles and textile articles	167.9	5.7%	Miscellaneous manufactured articles	1145.9	7.3%
Prepared foodstuffs	95.9	3.3%	Optical appliances and instruments; watches and clocks	852.3	5.4%
Other goods	138.1	4.7%	Other goods	2770.0	17.6%

Macau Special Administrative Region

Total exports	0.0		Total imports	46.9
			Textiles and textile articles	27.8	59.3%
			Products of chemical and allied industries	10.6	22.5%
			Machinery and mechanical appliances; electric equipment	4.6	9.8%
			Miscellaneous manufactured articles	3.9	8.4%

Taiwan

Total exports	4094.3		Total imports	35812.2
Machinery and mechanical appliances; electric equipment	1751.4	42.8%	Machinery and mechanical appliances; electric equipment	20601.3	57.5%
Base metals and articles of base metals	1704.2	41.6%	Base metals and articles of base metals	4740.5	13.2%
Wood and articles of wood	328.6	8.0%	Plastics and plastic articles; rubber and synthetic rubber products	3495.3	9.8%
Products of chemical and allied industries	138.8	3.4%	Vehicles	3360.8	9.4%
Mineral products (fuel, petroleum and petroleum products)	77.0	1.9%	Articles of stone, gypsum, cement, glass, and ceramics	1192.5	3.3%
Other goods	94.3	2.3%	Other goods	2421.9	6.8%

Co-operation in home affairs

The State Border Guard of the Ministry of Interior has established good contacts with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Riga, the staff of which also assists in identifying persons detained by the State Border Guard.

Based on the exchange of notes by both countries in 1999, on 24 August 2000 representatives of China handed over to the Latvian State Police a complete set of special technical equipment.

Co-operation in defence

Development of an active practical co-operation between Latvia and China in the area of defence is hindered by the geographic distance and differences in geo-political interests. The most significant event related to military co-operation between both countries to date has been the visit of the Minister of Defence (MoD) of Latvia to China in 1998.

From 16 to 21 December 2006, the visit to China by Edgars Rinkevics, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence took place, and an agreement was signed between the MoD of Latvia and the MoD of the PRC on defence co-operation.

Culture and education  

The ongoing co-operation between Latvia and China in culture and education is a successful area of common activities, as demonstrated by the exchange of the latest films, art exhibitions, and opera and ballet performances between the two states.

A mutual exchange programme between academic staff and students from the Chinese Language Department of the University of Latvia and Beijing University has been running since 1995. Every year, 3 to 5 Latvian students study in Beijing. There is also a guest lecturer from China working at the Faculty of Modern Languages at the University of Latvia, and a number of Latvian lecturers undergo in-service training in China. The University of Latvia has also received various donations - books, computers, video films and CDs, from China.  The University of Latvia has organised several research conferences on Sinology. On 26 October 2005, the Confucius Centre was opened at the Riga Stradins University. The Centre aims to popularise Chinese culture and study of the Chinese language at the academic level, and to enhance research into traditional Chinese medicine and its possible application in Latvia.

On 2 September 1996, the first cultural exchange programme for 1997 to 1999 was signed between the Ministries of Culture of Latvia and of the PRC. Several events (such as the exhibition Chinese Fans: Painting and Calligraphy at the Museum of Foreign Arts in Riga) took place under the co-operation programme during the period 1997-1999. In 1997, the Yangtai troupe from the Beijing Opera visited the cities of Riga and Ventspils. In 1998, the ballet troupe of the Latvian National Opera made a return visit to China.

On 10 November 1999, the Ministry of Culture of Latvia and the Ministry of Culture of China signed the second programme of cultural exchange covering the period of 2000-2001. In spring 2001, the Riga Saxophone Quartet took part in the second Chinese Festival entitled Meet in Beijing.

To mark the 10^th anniversary since the establishment of Latvian-Chinese diplomatic relations, Aivars Gailitis, State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Culture made a working visit to the PRC in September 2001. Parallel to this visit, the Latvian folk music group Ilgi presented concerts in China. In response to these concerts, a traditional Chinese music orchestra from Jilin province performed at the Wagner Recital Hall in Riga in October 2001. 

While visiting China in 2001, Janis Straume, Chairman of the Saeima also visited Suzhou city, where he opened an exhibition of Latvian photography. During the Riga 800^th anniversary celebration the same year, Suzhou city presented a special gift for the city of Riga - a teahouse, which was set up in Kronvalda Park.

In September 2002, the Minister of Culture of Latvia, Karina Petersone, visited China. During her visit, the Cultural Exchange Programme between the Ministries of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and of the People's Republic of China for 2003 - 2005 was signed.

From 27 October to 2 November 2002, Suzhou hosted an International Sister Cities Co-operation and Development Week, which featured various activities: a photography exhibition about Riga, screening of the video Welcome to Latvia, and playing recordings of traditional Latvian music, and others.

In October 2002, the organist Talivaldis Deksnis presented a concert in Beijing. Good contacts have been established with the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music and its teacher of the organ performance class.  In November, Latvian textile artist Edite Paula-Vignere, Peteris Sidars and writer Helena Celmina visited the People's Republic of China to participate in the 2nd International Biennial of Tapestry Art in Beijing. 

From 26 to 28 October 2003, the Riga City Mayor visited Suzhou city. During the visit, an Additional Agreement in the Areas of Culture and Tourism was signed.

In October 2003, the artist Janis Spalvins represented Latvia at the First Beijing International Art Biennale.

From 17 to 26 October 2003, the 6^th Beijing Music Festival was held. Participating in the event was violinist Gidon Kremer and the Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra. The Latvian films The Good Hands and A Handful of Bullets were screened in the China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Shanghai. In December 2003, the Latvian Museum of Foreign Arts hosted an exhibition on Tibetan Art in China. 

Main cultural events in 2004 were mostly associated with the visit of the President of Latvia to China, which aimed to associate the Chinese public with Latvia as a European country. This included the opening of an exhibition of Latvian watercolour paintings and graphics at the largest art museum of Beijing, and a speech delivered by the President of Latvia when meeting with students from the Qinghua University.

In 2004, the Latvian Embassy in the PRC, in conjunction with the magazine Global Express Monthly prepared a special edition on Latvia in both Chinese and English languages.

The film Water Bomb for the Fat Tomcat was screened in the China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Shanghai.

In July 2004, the Latvian Radio Choir visited China giving performances with great success in Beijing and at the China International Chorus Festival in Wuxi. Under an agreement signed between the Ministries of Culture of Latvia and the PRC, two outstanding Chinese renovators visited Riga to restore the paintings at the Latvian Museum of Foreign Arts.

On 17 February 2006, the Chinese Embassy presented the Latvian Academic Library with 170 books in Chinese, English, German, and Russian. The library also received over 2,000 LVL for the preparation of the catalogue on its deposits featuring China.

In July 2006, Latvian choirs visited China. The Choirs Aija and Gaudeamus took part in the 4^th World Choir Olympics in Xiamen and Beijing. Gaudeamus won a gold medal in the male choir category, but Aija was awarded a silver medal in the female choir category.

On 28 September 2006, at the Confucius Centre, the opening of the book Analects of Confucius took place. The book has been translated from Old Chinese by Dr Jelena Staburova. During the official part of the opening, the Chinese Ambassador announced that the Embassy is going to buy 200 copies of the new edition.

Between 27 July and 3 August 2007, a Chinese film crew from Travel Channel China visited Latvia and shot video material for a film on the image of Latvia for Chinese audiences. Funding and logistics support for the visit was provided by the Latvian MFA.

On 24 January 2007, the Ministry of Culture of Latvia and the Ministry of Culture of China signed a five-year co-operation programme on cultural exchange.

Latvian Culture Days in China

On 19 September 2007, the official opening of the photo project ZZZ exhibition as part of the Pingyao International Photography Festival heralded the Latvian Culture Days in China. The photo project, which was created by the well-known Latvian photographer Andrejs Grants and members of the youth photo studio of the "Annas 2" Centre for Creative Learning, took shape over a period of several years, and is a distinctive interplay between photographic and cinematic aesthetics. On 20 September, as part of the festival, an "author's evening" was held with Andrejs Grants, during which the photo-artist displayed, on an outdoor screen, his photographic collections: Latvia. Changing and Changeless Reality; Light in the City; Travel Notes; Colleagues, Friends, Acquaintances; and other works. The week-long Pingyao International Photography Festival was held for the seventh time, and is one of the most significant photographic art events in China. Photo-artists from a total of 47 countries participated in the wide-ranging festival. Within the framework of the Latvian Culture Days in China, a meeting between Andrejs Grants and students of the Beijing Film Academy took place. The Latvian photo-art events in China were held with the financial and organisational support of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Latvian Embassy in China.

Co-operation in sports

Following an invitation by the Latvian Olympic Committee, a delegation of representatives of China's State General Administration of Sport visited Latvia in September 2003. In July 2005, representatives of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) visited Latvia.

Potential areas of co-operation are sports medicine and science, participation by athletes in sports events in Latvia and China, an exchange of delegations of high-level sports experts/officials, and signing of a letter of intent on co-operation.

Latvian architects in co-operation with their German partners were awarded the tender for the Beijing Olympic Games cycle track project.

Between 31 August and 2 September 2007 in Latvia, Chinese national women's basketball team played its qualifying match for the world championship.

In August 2007, Einars Fogelis, Secretary General of the Latvian Olympic Committee, made a visit to Beijing.

In November 2007, Aldons Vrublevskis, the President of the Latvian Olympic, will visit Beijing.

Co-operation between municipalities

Riga-Suzhou

On 17 April 1996, a letter of intent On Establishment of Friendly Relations between Riga and Suzhou was signed. On 22 September 1997, the Agreement on Establishment of Friendly Relations between Riga and Suzhou was concluded.

Riga-Beijing

In April 2004, Riga City Council and Beijing Municipal Government signed an agreement on co-operation in economic, humanitarian, and cultural areas.

Between 20 and 26 September 2007, Almers Ludviks, the Deputy Mayor of Riga City Council, made a visit to Nantong, Beijing, and Shanghai. In Nantong, he participated in the 3rd World Mega Cities Forum, but at the Beijing Normal University, he held a presentation on the BaltMet (the Baltic Metropoles Network) and the development of Riga.      

Between, 25 September to 2 October 2007, the Mayor of Riga, Janis Birks, and the Deputy Mayor, Andris Argalis, took part in the celebrations for the Chinese National Day of 1 October, and visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou city. The Mayor familiarised himself with various issues, including solutions to traffic problems in Beijing.  

Daugavpils-Harbin

In January 2003, an agreement on co-operation between Daugavpils and Harbin was signed.

Latvian towns

From 22 to 31 May 2007, a delegation from Latvian municipalities made a visit to China, which was headed by the Chair of the Alliance of Latvian Towns and Chairman of the Skrunda Town Council with Rural Territory, Nellija Kleinberga. The delegation also included heads and councillors of the Kuldiga City Council, Kuldiga District Council, and a number of parishes of the Kuldiga District, as well as included the Chairman of Riga District Council and Sigulda Region, representatives of the Kuldiga District Council Kurzemnieks and local companies. The delegation met with the Dingzhou City Council in Hebei province. On 23 May, during an official ceremony, The Letter of Intent on Friendly Exchange and Development of Relations of Co-operation" was signed between Skrunda Town Council and Dingzhou City Council. On 25 May in Beijing, the delegation met with members of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and visited local municipalities of Jinzhou and Hangzhou. 

Co-operation between ports

During a visit to China from 23 to 27 January 2007 by senior officials of the municipality of Ventspils, the Agreement on Cooperation and Development between the Port of Ventspils, Latvia and the Port of Xiamen, People's Republic of China was signed. In March 2008, a delegation from the Ventspils Free Port visited Beijing and Xiamen, where they met with Wang Yongjun, Director General of the Port of Xiamen. During the talks, the officials discussed concrete action for the development of co-operation.   

Common legal basis of China and Latvia

Other information

In January 2000, the Baltic Office of Xinhua, one of the largest news agencies in China, commenced its work in Riga.