Chinese-Latvian Dictionary is proof to successful co-operation in education

On 29 September, during the presentation of The Big Chinese-Latvian Dictionary at the University of Latvia, the State Secretary of Foreign Ministry Andris Teikmanis noted that education is one of the most successful fields of co-operation between Latvia and China. Andris Teikmanis expressed gratitude to the Embassy of China for long-term support to Chinese language studies in Latvia. The Secretary of State stressed that the new dictionary would facilitate further development and mutual understanding between both countries. He also expressed his deepest gratitude to the Embassy of China in Latvia as well as to everybody who have taken efforts in Latvia and China for the support of this project.

This first academic dictionary is compiled by sinologist and Professor of the Department of Asian Studies at the Human Sciences faculty of the University of Latvia, Dr. Pēteris Pildegovičs. The dictionary has been published by the Commercial Press of China. The Foreign Ministries of Latvia and China have supported the publication.

Pēteris Pildegovičs has made a significant contribution to the Asian Studies in Latvia, especially to the studies of Chinese at the University of Latvia. For a number of years, he has served as a chief expert on China at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, and has contributed towards the opening of the Latvian Embassy in Beijing.

During the presentation ceremony, speeches were given by the compiler of the dictionary Pēteris Pildegovičs, the Ambassador of China to Latvia Hu Yeshun, the Head of the University of Latvia Mārcis Auziņš, and the Minister of Education Tatjana Koķe.

It is planned that the new dictionary will be given as a present to universities and schools in Latvia.