The Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia participated in the reception for Chinese Ambassador Tang Songgen to Latvia

On June 28, 2023, the Chinese Embassy in Latvia held a reception for Ambassador Tang Songgen at the Kempinski Hotel in Riga. Former Latvian Presidents Valdis Zatlers and Raimonds Vejonis, parliamentary secretary Armanda Krauzes and other members of parliament, key officials, local governments, people from all walks of life in economy, education, culture, sports, media, think tanks, envoys of many countries in Latvia, and the Chinese Institute of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia About 200 people including Professor Chang Shangquanyu, Overseas Dean Professor Peteris Pildegovics, and representatives of Chinese and foreign Chinese teachers, overseas Chinese, Chinese-funded institutions, and international students attended.

At the beginning of the reception, the national anthem of Latvia and the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China were played in sequence. Ambassador Tang said in his speech that he is honored to be sent to Latvia. China was one of the first countries to recognize Latvia’s restoration of independence, and Latvia promised to uphold the one-China principle. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have maintained friendly exchanges and cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and achieved fruitful results. As the new ambassador to Latvia, I am willing to work with friends from all walks of life in Latvia to make unremitting efforts to promote the sustained and stable development of China-Latvia relations and better benefit the two peoples.

On behalf of the Latvian side, Raimonds Jansons, Director of the Protocol Department (National Protocol Bureau) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, expressed warm welcome to Ambassador Tang for his assumption of office. The guests spoke highly of the achievements in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and looked forward to working with China to promote the stable development of bilateral relations.

Ambassador Tang expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia and Chinese and foreign Chinese teachers for their presence. Ambassador Tang mentioned that Chinese teachers are messengers who spread Chinese culture. Chinese teachers teach Chinese and introduce Chinese culture, which has played a great role in promoting the Latvian people to understand China. Ambassador Tang believes that there should be more exchanges and communication between the people of China and Latvia, to build a bridge of cultural exchanges between China and Latvia, and to promote the friendship between China and Latvia.

The guests and friends at the reception gathered together in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The guests expressed their sincere congratulations and warm welcome to Ambassador Tang on his assumption of office, and sincerely hoped that the relationship between China and Latvia will continue to make new progress.

2023年6月28日，中国驻拉脱维亚大使馆在里加凯宾斯基酒店举行唐松根大使到任招待会。拉前总统Valdis Zatlers、Raimonds Vejonis，议会秘书长Armanda Krauzes 等议员，主要官员，地方政府、经济、教育、文化、体育、媒体、智库等各界人士，多国驻拉使节，以及拉脱维亚大学孔子学院中方院长尚劝余、拉方院长Peteris Pildegovics和中外汉语教师、华侨华人、中资机构、留学生代表约200人出席。

招待会开始时，依次奏拉脱维亚国歌和中华人民共和国国歌。唐大使在致辞中表示，很荣幸奉命出使拉脱维亚。中国是最早承认拉恢复独立的国家之一，拉承诺坚持一个中国原则。两国建交以来，在政治、经济、人文等领域保持友好交流合作，并取得丰硕成果。作为新任驻拉大使，愿同拉各界朋友一道，为推动中拉关系持续稳定发展、更好造福两国人民而不懈努力。

拉外交部礼宾司（国家礼宾局）司长Raimonds Jansons代表拉方致辞对唐大使履新表示热烈欢迎。来宾高度评价新时代中国特色社会主义发展成就，期待与中方共同努力，促进两国关系稳定发展。

唐大使对拉脱维亚大学孔子学院中方院长及中外汉语教师的到来表示感谢。唐大使提到汉语教师是传播中国文化的使者，汉语教师教授汉语、介绍中国文化，对推进拉国人民了解中国起了很大作用。唐大使认为中拉人民之间应该多交流、沟通，架起中拉文化交流的桥梁，推动中拉友谊建设。

招待会现场宾朋齐聚一堂，气氛热烈友好。来宾们纷纷对唐大使履新表示诚挚祝贺和热烈欢迎，衷心祝愿中拉关系不断取得新进展。