A Taiwan-Baltic states conference on democratic development kicked off Monday in Riga, the capital of Latvia, with scholars from the four countries as well as the United States, Germany and Canada attending.

According to Taiwanese diplomats posted in Geneva, the two-day conference, being co-hosted by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the Latvia Academy of Sciences, is aimed at giving the participants the opportunity to exchange views and experiences in democratic development.

Lin Wen-cheng, chief executive of the Taiwan foundation, was quoted as saying at the conference that Taiwan and Latvia are very similar in terms of democratic development -- with both being young democracies that despite being situated in the shadows of a major foreign power have unceasingly worked to reinforce their democratic systems.

Taiwan has been under constant military threat from China since 1949, Lin said. He also mentioned that Monday was the 15th anniversary of Latvia regaining its independence from the former Soviet Union.

Lin said he admires the Latvian people for their will and strength in seeking their freedom and independence.

In addition to Lin, members of the Taiwan delegation taking part in the conference include Taiwan's Representative to Latvia Lee Shih-ming, professor Sung Chen-chau of National Chengkung University, professor Hsiao Wen-sheng of National Chungcheng University and professor Chang Chi-lu of National Sun Yat-sen University.

Before participating in the conference, the delegation paid a visit to the Latvia Academy of Sciences and attended a ceremony presided over by Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Latvia regaining independence.