The latest annual report from the State Security Service of Latvia highlights one of China's priorities in the country: the establishment of a positive image. The agency warns that Chinese-organized cultural events are not merely for image-building; they may also serve as an attempt to gather sensitive information about Latvia. This warning comes amid reports that several members of the Saeima attended Chinese New Year celebrations organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture in Riga this week. In Chinese culture, the New Year is the most significant festival, celebrated according to the lunar calendar as it signifies the beginning of spring. Since Xi Jinping took office, Beijing has placed considerable importance on these celebrations, which have been observed for several years by the Chinese Embassy in Latvia. The program “Nekā personīga” managed to obtain invitations to the festivities, highlighting the engagement of local officials in these events. The Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, is one of the largest annual events in Chinese culture. It was celebrated last Wednesday evening at the VEF Cultural Palace, where the Chinese Embassy in Latvia hosted the festivities. The presence of Saeima deputies at such an event raises questions about the implications of their participation in rituals that may be leveraged by foreign powers for diplomatic or intelligence purposes, indicating a growing intersection between local political dynamics and international relations.