Vejonis praises Latvian language courses at Beijing International Studies University

RIGA - President Raimonds Vejonis said during a meeting with Latvian language students at the Beijing International Studies University that he was very pleased with Latvian courses offered by the university, the President's Chancery informed LETA.

Knowledge is the greatest value in the modern-day world, and students of the Latvian language will not only have opportunity to learn about Latvian culture but also contribute to enhancing Latvian-Chinese bilateral cooperation in the long term, said Vejonis.

"At a time businesses are looking for new sales markets, specialists who can speak foreign languages have an advantage and contribute to companies' competitiveness at the international arena. I therefore have a high opinion of study programs at the Beijing International Studies University that, over a course of several years, give students the opportunity to learn Latvian - not only in China, these students will be able to visit Latvia to improve their command of the language where they will study at the Riga Technical University for one full year," said Vejonis.

During Vejonis' meeting with student at the Beijing International Studies University students, also was discussed cooperation between the university and the Riga Technical University and University of Latvia. Furthermore, increasingly more students in Latvia choose to study Chinese.

At the moment, there are 46 Chinese students who study Latvian at the Beijing International Studies University. Latvian courses have also been available at the Beijing Foreign Studies University since 2011.

As reported, Vejonis' working visit to China will continue until September 20.