On the afternoon of November 5, 2016 local time, Premier Li Keqiang met at the National Library of Latvia in Riga with sinologist representatives, who were attending the symposium on Sinology studies and Chinese language teaching of Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), during which Li Keqiang communicated and interacted with them.

In recent years, the booming China-CEEC cultural exchanges have led to a thriving enthusiasm for Chinese study and learning in the region. When Li Keqiang arrived, three generations of CEEC sinologists were waiting him at the gate to express their warm welcome to Premier Li Keqiang. Li Keqiang shook hands and had friendly talks with them in turn.

Renowned sinologist and Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia Peteris Pildegovics presented Li Keqiang with the Selected Latvian-Chinese and Chinese-Latvian Dictionary complied by himself, and expressed his hope that the dictionary could promote friendly exchanges between the Latvian and Chinese people. Li Keqiang received the dictionary with pleasure and praised the gift as "heavy and profound". Li Keqiang said that language serves as a bridge for communication and sinologists are bridge builders for civilization exchanges and mutual learning between China and the CEEC. It is hoped that there could be more reference books to advance verbal and written communication and exchanges between China and the CEEC.

Li Keqiang pointed out that since the founding of the "16+1" cooperation mechanism, China-CEEC cooperation in such fields as politics, economy and culture has been advancing rapidly. Stronger enthusiasm for participation in cooperation and more urgent desire in deepening mutual understanding shown by all parties have brought both huge opportunities and higher demands for Chinese and CEEC experts and scholars. It is hoped that sinologists could publish more new and excellent works and make greater contributions to deepening bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, Li Keqiang and CEEC leaders took a group photo with the sinologists to mark the occasion.