The online reception celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Latvia was hosted by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Latvia on 22 September 2021. Over fifty guests from all walks of Latvia participated in the event on line, including representatives of the Latvian government, the parliament, and sectors of economy and trade, industry and commerce, media, culture, education and sports, as well as representatives of overseas Chinese community and students in Latvia.

H.E. Ambassdor Liang Jianquan delivered an opening speech, in which he stated that this year marks the centenary of the Communist Party of China(the CPC). Led by the CPC, the Chinese people, through concerted efforts, have shown the world that the Chinese nation has achieved the tremendous transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. This year is also the first year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan. In the coming five years and beyond, guided by the new philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, China will promote high quality and sustainable economic and social development.

H.E. Ambassdor Liang pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging the world. The virus knows no borders. All countries should work together to fight against the pandemic in the spirit of mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation and in a scientific approach. China is ready to work with all parties to firmly uphold and practice true multilateralism, and commit to the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international laws, with a view to marching steadily toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for humankind.

H.E. Ambassdor Liang recalled the positive outcomes of the development of bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation over the past 30years since the the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Latvia. He stressed that, China-Latvian relations has now come to a new stage of development. Despite different social systems and cultural traditions, both China and Latvia are oriented toward national independence and self-esteem, and in pursuit of peace and development, thus leads to common interests and potential cooperation in many areas. The development of friendly and cooperative relations is beneficial to both nations and the peoples. Both sides should enhance communication and exchange, promote mutual understanding, uphold proper mutual perception, stick to the principle of mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences, and substantially respect each other's core interests and major concerns, so as to ensure the smooth development of bilateral relations.

Senior officials from the Latvian Government, including Mr. Edmunds Valantis, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics and Ms. Ilonda Stepanova, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport took part in the reception. Mr. Nil Jansons, Director-General of the Bilateral Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Mr.Vjaceslavs Dombrovskis, Chairperson of the Group for Promoting Cooperation of the Latvian Saeima with the Parliament of the People's Republic of China, and Mr. Peteris Pildegovics, Director of the Confucius Institute of University of Latvia spoke on line as representatives from the Latvian side. They extended congratulations and commended China's reform and opening-up policy and achievements in the economic and social development. They also emphasized the importance of enhancing dialogue and exchanges with China and expressed good wishes for promoting pragmatic cooperation in various fields between Latvia and China.

A short video featuring 'China's Development and China-Latvian Friendship' was screened at the reception. In the video, Chinese and Latvian friends from all walks of life in Latvia extended their best wishes in various forms, such as singing of Chinese songs by members of China Alumni Association of Latvia and local students, performing of Chinese martial arts by members of the Latvian Sports Wushu Federation, presenting of classical Chinese and Latvian music by representatives of overseas Chinese community and students in Latvia, as well as the Chinese paintings by Latvian amateurs exhibited in the Chinese Culture Center in Riga.

The above-mentioned video could be found at the Facebook of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Latvia via the link below:https://www.facebook.com/EmbassyofChinainLatvia.