On the afternoon of June 10, 2002, President Jiang Zemin and Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga held a formal talk in the Latvian president 's residence.

On the part of Latvian government and its people, Vike-Freiberga first extended a warm welcome to President Jiang for his visit. She said that China is a great country with a long history and a splendid culture, and has made outstanding achievements in its modernization construction. Latvia has always have the understanding and support of the Chinese people since its independence. She also said that Jiang is the first Chinese president to have ever visited Latvia and the Latvian side has expected this visit for a long time. She believes such a visit will further increase mutual understanding and spur mutually beneficial cooperation.

Jiang made positive comments on the development of China-Latvia relations. He indicated that China is among the first to recognize Latvia's resumption of independence and establish diplomatic relations with Latvia. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the top leaders of both sides have maintained contacts actively, with exchanges of various departments going on continuously, and the friendly cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, culture and education have been proceeding smoothly. He said that although China and Latvia are far away from each other, they respect each other's social systems, cultural traditions and values, and always try to develop and deepen the friendly cooperative relations in the spirit of mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences. This is also the key to the smooth development of relations between China and Latvia and is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples. Jiang said that China pays great attention to developing relations with Latvia. China is willing to develop long-term stable friendly and cooperative relations with Latvia under the principles of mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.

President Jiang said that high-level contact is of important meaning to increasing mutual understanding and trust and to promoting the relations between countries. The two sides should strengthen high-level contacts to promote mutual understanding. With regards to the trade and economic relations between the two countries, Jiang said that China considers Latvia an important passage linking Asia and Europe, and hopes to have active cooperation with Latvia in areas of trade, economic cooperation and transportation. The two countries can also have good cooperation within the framework of the World Trade Organization.

Vike-Freiberga said that she agrees to the Chinese side's comments on bilateral relations and its proposal for further developing the mutually beneficial cooperation. She said that Latvia has its own advantages in information technology and transportation, and hopes to work with the Chinese side to expand cooperation on the present basis. She particularly stressed that she takes great interest in the history and culture of China, as well as the new changes in China's modernization construction. She accepted President Jiang's invitation of visiting China in the time convenient to both sides.

Jiang also briefed Vike-Freiberga on China's principled stance on the Taiwan issue. The Latvian president said Latvia recognizes the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, and reiterated that Latvia will continue to adhere to the One China policy. She said Latvia understands and supports the wish of the Chinese people to resolve the Taiwan issue at an early time.

The two presidents exchanged views on international issues of common concern. Jiang stressed that peace and development are still the main themes of the times although terrorism has become an outstanding issue following the September 11 incident. To maintain world peace and strengthen common development, China holds that the democratization of international relations should be promoted. All countries, regardless of their sizes, wealth, and strength, should equally participate in international affairs and the diversity of the world should be respected. Jiang said that all countries are entitled to choose their own approach of development. The differences in social systems and values should not be an obstacle in developing state relations. International disputes should be solved through peaceful negotiations. Jiang also said that China and Latvia have common interests and concerns in developing economy, safeguarding national interests and maintaining world peace and development. China is ready to make active exchanges with Latvia, draw on each other's experience and strengthen consultation and cooperation in the international affairs, especially on major issues concerning interests of both countries, so as to make joint contribution to the advancement of mankind.

After the talk, the two leaders jointly met the press.