Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Thursday with Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis in China's northeastern port city of Dalian, saying the two countries should strengthen economic and trade cooperation, notably in port construction and marine transportation.

Regarding Latvia as an important partner in the Baltic Sea region, Wen said China is willing to explore new areas and approach to expand economic collaboration when he met with his Latvian counterpart who came to attend the summer meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Wen said China is to provide sound environment for the entrance of the Latvian products into the country, and called for mutual understanding and exchanges between the two peoples.

Wen said both Europe and Asia are enjoying prime development, hoping the seventh summit of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM), which is to be held in China next year, will help promote the new partnerships between the two continents.

Kalvitis praised China for its diplomatic policy that equally treat different countries, and stressed the great importance of China's participation in global issues. He said Latvia is expected to expand collaboration with China in economic, trade, finance and tourism.

The summer meeting, namely, the Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions, is held from Sept. 6 to 8.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)