On April 25, 2013, Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao met with the Chairman of the Latvian-Chinese Friendship Group of the Latvian Parliament, who is here in China to attend the 4th China-Europe High-Level Political Parties Forum. The two sides exchanged views on Sino-Latvian relations, China-Central and Eastern Europe cooperation and other issues.

Song said China attaches importance to developing relations with Latvia and is ready to work with the country to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the political, economic, trade, cultural and other fields. China-Central and Eastern Europe cooperation is proceeding smoothly. China is willing to work together with the 16 central and eastern European countries to give full play to their respective advantages, seek common development and look for opportunities so as to enhance the level of cooperation and promote the overall China-Europe relations.

The Latvian side noted it is a consensus shared by both ruling and opposition parties in Latvia to attach importance to developing relations with China. Latvia is willing to further expand bilateral mutually beneficial and pragmatic cooperation, and continue to push forward China- Central and Eastern Europe, EU-China relations.

The Latvian side also expressed condolences over the earthquake in Lushan, Sichuan, for which Song expressed his gratitude.