On the afternoon of April 15, 2004, President Hu Jintao held talks with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said that China-Latvia relations have made smooth progress since the two countries normalized diplomatic ties. With frequent exchanges between top leadership of the two countries, mutual understanding and trust are increasingly deepened. The two sides have witnessed rapid development in economic and trade co-operation and increasingly expanded exchanges in various fields. China attaches great importance to China-Latvia relations, respects the approach to development chosen by the Latvian people themselves and appreciates Latvia's understanding and supports to China's stands on issues related to Taiwan, Tibet, etc.

In order to further promote the development of the China-Latvia relations, Hu Jintao gave the following suggestions.

First, the two sides should maintain the momentum of exchanges between top leadership of the two countries, strengthen dialogues and exchanges at various levels and enhance mutual trust in political affairs.

Second, the two sides should extensively tap potentials to strengthen economic and trade co-operation. The Chinese side welcomes Latvian enterprises to take part in China's key projects such as those in the Grand Western Development Drive and the revitalization of the old industrial bases in Northeast China, and encourages and supports Chinese enterprises to invest in Latvia.

Third, the two sides should expand co-operation in such areas as transportation and tourism, and make full use of the convenient conditions of the two countries in marine shipping and railway transportation so as to serve the expanded trade between the two countries. China welcomes Latvian tourism enterprises to conduct the activities of publicity and promotion in China.

Fourth, the two sides should strengthen cultural exchanges and co-operation and enhance mutual understanding and friendship of the two peoples.

Hu noted that developing long-term and stable China-Latvia friendly co-operative relations is the set principle of the Chinese government. After Latvia's accession to the European Union (EU), China stands ready to further promote the friendly co-operative relations with Latvia and the EU in various fields within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

Vike-Freiberga indicated her complete agreement to Hu's positive remarks on China-Latvia relations and his suggestions for further development of the bilateral relations. She said that China is Latvia's important partner in Asia and developing its relations with China is a high priority in Latvia's diplomacy. Latvia appreciates China's proposal that every country, large or small, is equal and thinks highly of China's positive role in international affairs. Latvia will continue to uphold the one-China policy and support the realization of China's reunification as early as possible. Latvia will make efforts to promote its co-operation with China in such areas as political affairs, economy and trade, transportation and tourism, with a belief that Latvia-China relations will enter a new stage along with the official accession of Latvia to the EU.

After the talks, the two presidents attended the signing ceremony of such documents for co-operation as the Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Latvia on Mutual Judicial Assistance in Criminal Matters and the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Latvia on the Promotion and Protection of Investments.

Prior to the talks, President Hu hosted a ceremony to welcome his Latvian counterpart at a plaza east to the Great Hall of the People.