Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, July 14, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

ULAN BATOR - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday that China supports Latvia in hosting the fifth leaders' meeting between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Li, who is paying his first official visit to Mongolia, made the remarks during a meeting here with Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, before they join other Asian and European leaders on Friday and Saturday at the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit.

Calling Latvia "a good friend in the Baltic region and a good partner in the European Union," Li said China is willing to work with Latvia to promote cooperation within the China-CEE framework -- known as 16+1 -- so as to benefit both sides.

With regard to bilateral relations, Li said China is ready to join hands with Latvia to synergize their development strategies, promote cooperation in such areas as transportation, infrastructure construction and trade, achieve dynamic equilibrium of bilateral trade, and boost people-to-people exchanges in youth, media, tourism and other areas at different levels.

Vejonis, for his part, said China is Latvia's most important cooperation partner in Asia, and Latvia supports China in developing relations with the European Union and CEE nations.

Latvia is satisfied with the current development of bilateral relations, he said, adding that he hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as transportation, logistics, trade and investment, and agriculture.

He added that he looks forward to Li's visit to Latvia and attendance at the CEE-China leaders' meeting later this year.