AGREEMENT
ON MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS
AND DEGREES BETWEEN
THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA
AND
THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, hereinafter referred to as the Parties,

desiring to promote friendly relations between both countries, develop and strenghten bilateral cooperation in the field of education and science,

being convinced that the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications and degrees is of great significance for the relations between both countries,

supporting wider cooperation of both countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit,

hereby agree as follows:

Article 1

1. This Agreement aims at regulating and facilitating mutual recognition of higher education qualifications and degrees issued in the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Latvia, considering the laws in force in the countries of the Parties.

2. This Agreement applies to the state-authorized higher education institutions and research institutes (hereinafter referred to as "higher education institutions") with higher education qualification and degree awarding power in the People's Republic of China and the public and state-accredited higher education institutions (hereinafter referred to as "higher education institutions") with higher education qualification and degree awarding power in the Republic of Latvia.

3. The higher education qualifications and degrees refer to those awarded as a part of education system by the Parties' relevant state-accredited and authorized higher education institutions with higher education qualification and degree awarding power according to their respective laws and regulations. They include higher education diploma (hereinafter referred to as "Zhuanke"), Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral diplomas and degrees in the People's Republic of China, and First and Second level professional higher education diplomas, Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees in the Republic of Latvia.

4. The Parties shall regularly exchange information about the respective education institutions according to item 2 of this Article through the Standing Expert Committee set up according to Article 10 of this Agreement.

5. Regarding to item 2 of this Article, a list of the current higher education institutions with the power to award Zhuanke, Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees in the People's Republic of China and a list of higher education institutions with the power to confer First and Second level professional higher education diplomas, Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees in the Republic of Latvia shall be attached to this Agreement. This information shall be maintained and updated regularly by respective designated bodies. The designated bodies will then pass on the updated information to each other through diplomatic channels.

6. The Parties shall exchange information on degree titles and higher education qualifications awarded by the state of each Party, and inform each other on changes made to those titles.

7. The Parties shall provide each other with samples of relevant education qualifications and degrees, inform each other about their national laws and regulations in force concerning education qualification and degree awarding.

8. The Parties recognize higher education qualifications and degrees awarded by each other's higher education institutions.

9. Recognition of higher education qualifications and degrees shall not apply to professional activities in the professions regulated with the laws in force in the countries of the Parties.

Article 2

1. Holders of a senior high school education certificate and a secondary vocational school education certificate issued in the People's Republic of China may be allowed to apply for study at the Latvian higher education institutions.

2. Holders of general secondary education certificates and secondary vocational education diplomas issued in the Republic of Latvia may be allowed to apply for study at higher education institutions in the People's Republic of China.

3. Higher education institutions in both Parties are entitled to lay down extra requirements of enrolment.

Article 3

1. Recognition of examination results and academic performance, as well as provision of a proof by relevant agencies of the Parties is upon application and subject to the admission requirements of relevant higher education institutions and the record of examination results and academic performance provided by the applicants.

2. If the applicant's examination results and academic performance fail to meet the requirements according to item 1 of this Article, the applicant shall have the opportunity to study at the preparatory programs organized by the admitting higher education institution in order to reach the necessary requirements.

3. Holders of Chinese Zhuanke may be allowed to apply for further their studies for a Bachelor's degree at higher education institutions in the Republic of Latvia. Their examination results and academic performance shall be recognized according to the curriculum requirements of relevant higher education institutions and the record of examination results and academic performance provided by the applicants.

4. Holders of Latvian First level professional higher education diplomas may be allowed to apply to continue their studies for a Bachelor's degree at higher education institutions in the People's Republic of China. Their examination results and academic performance shall be recognized according to the curriculum requirements of relevant higher education institutions and the record of examination results and academic performance provided by the applicants.

Article 4

1. The recognition procedure of the higher education qualifications and degrees issued by the higher education institutions of the Parties shall be stated according to the regulations of relevant agency in each country.

2. Holders of recognized higher education qualifications and degrees shall be given equal rights to continue their studies at the next educational level in the other country, but not release from the obligation to fulfill relevant requirements upon entering a higher education institution to the regulations of the latter.

Article 5

Holders of a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent higher education qualification/degree conferred in the country of one Party shall be given equal rights to further their studies for a Master's degree in the country or other Party according to the laws and regulations of this country.

Article 6

Holders of a Master's degree or a higher education equivalent qualification/degree conferred in the country of one Party shall have equal rights to further their studies for a Doctoral degree in the country of other Party according to the laws and regulations of this country.

Article 7

The country of one Party, according to the laws and regulations of its own country, shall recognize the Doctoral degrees conferred in the country of the other Party.

Article 8

1. Persons awarded with a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree in the People's Republic of China shall be entitled to use their degree in either its English or Chinese version in the Republic of Latvia. Recognition shall be required for using the degree in the Republic of Latvia according to its laws.

2. Persons awarded with a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree in the Republic of Latvia shall be entitled to use their degree in either its English or Latvian version in the People's Republic of China. Recognition shall be required for using the degree in the People's Republic of China according to its law.

Article 9

1. Both Parties shall consult each other on matters concerning the implementation of this Agreement, inform about the changes in the field of education and send official explanations to each other when necessary.

2. This Agreement shall not affect any rights or obligations of the Parties arisen from other international agreements, in which they are member-countries.

Article 10

1. To discuss matters concerning the implementation of this Agreement, the Parties shall set up a Standing Expert Committee composing of no more that six representatives from each appointed by the Party of the respective country. The country Parties shall negotiate their representative candidates through diplomatic channels.

2. A Standing Expert Committee meeting shall be convened by suggestions of one or both Parties. Time and location for the meeting shall be determined through diplomatic channels.

Article 11

1. This Agreement shall enter in force on the date of receipt of the last written notice of the Parties through diplomatic channels, informing the completion of all necessary internal procedures.

2. This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of five (5) years. Its duration shall be automatically extended for additional period of five (5) years each, unless terminated by any party by giving six (6) months' notice in writing.

3. This Agreement may be amended by mutual written consent of the Parties.

4. Both Parties may denounce this Agreement, which shall be terminated six (6) months after receiving a written notice from the other Party through diplomatic channels.

5. No termination of the duration of this Agreement shall affect the recognition processes agreed by both Parties, unless stipulated otherwise.

Signed in Beijing on 22 October, 2010, in duplicate in the Latvian, Chinese and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of different interpretation, the text in the English language shall prevail.