Confucius Institute thrives in Latvia

Enthusiasm for learning the Chinese language, literature and culture is higher than ever in Latvia due to excellent bilateral relations and growing economic connections, and the visit of Premier Li Keqiang will further boost Sino-Latvian language and cultural exchanges, said Shang Quanyu, director of LUCI - the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia.

The Confucius Institute in Riga, the capital, is celebrating its fifth anniversary after the university and Hanban - the Confucius Institute headquarters - signed an agreement establishing LUCI in April 2011.

Shang, 55, said there is one Confucius Institute in Latvia, at the University of Latvia, and four Confucius Schools, in Riga and other cities.