Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Riga, the capital of Latvia on Nov 4 for an official visit and a meeting of the heads of the governments of China and 16 central and eastern European (CEE) countries, or the “16+1” summit.

It was the first time for a Chinese premier to visit the country. Senior officials greeted the Premier at the airport, and native teenagers offered him flowers.

Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis held a welcoming ceremony for Premier Li at the snow-covered monument square. A military band played the national anthems of both countries as Premier Li reviewed an honor guard with Kucinskis.