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Premier hails enhanced ties with Mongolia

Updated: Apr 9,2018 5:21 PM     english.gov.cn

Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Beijing on April 9.

Premier Li said during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Mongolia in 2014, the two nations established a comprehensive strategic partnership. As neighboring countries, China and Mongolia are good friends and partners.

China appreciates Mongolia’s firm stand on the one-China policy, and is willing to steer bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, he said.

In addition, the Premier added, the two countries should continue to consolidate political trust, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and maintain high-level exchanges and communication in regional and international affairs.

The ongoing development of the bilateral ties will not only benefit the two nations, but also serve regional stability and prosperity, he said.

Premier Li said that both China and Mongolia are facing heavy burdens to develop their economies and improve people’s livelihoods. China hopes the two sides can make use of each other’s advantages in the economy and close location, and promote the connection of China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Mongolia’s Development Road program.

China expects to start researching the practicality of a joint free trade agreement soon, and accelerate the construction of the cross-border economic cooperation zone. The two sides should enhance cooperation in fields such as, capacity, investment, further processing in agriculture and livestock farming, the Premier said.

Projects such as shanty town renovation, pollution treatment, and infrastructure construction shall be steadily promoted to improve the well-being of the people of both sides, the Premier said.

Premier Li stressed that 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations between China and Mongolia. China is willing to grasp the chance with Mongolia, and promote better development of China-Mongolia ties.

The two sides should arrange innovative and extensive celebrations and communication activities, enhance people-to-people exchanges among youth and in culture, media and tourism, the Premier said. Personnel exchanges should be better facilitated to enhance the public basis of the friendship between the two sides.

Khurelsukh noted that developing a friendly neighbor relationship with China is Mongolia’s top diplomatic policy, and the new term of the Mongolia government will stick to this policy and deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.

He said Mongolia upholds the one-China policy, supporting Taiwan and Tibet as inseparable parts of China’s territory and the policy will never be changed.

China’s friendly, honest, win-win and inclusive neighboring policy provides new opportunities for both countries, the prime minister said, adding that Mongolia is willing to strengthen political trust, keep high-level exchanges, deepen trade and economic cooperation, and enhance strategic links with China.

The two countries also will start a feasibility study on bilateral free trade agreement within the year, and expand pragmatic cooperation in trade, tourism, production capacity, minerals, farming and stock breeding and transportation to upgrade the strategic partnership relations, he said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Before the talk, Premier Li held a welcome ceremony for Khurelsukh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. After the talks, they witnessed the signing of documents covering areas such as, trade and economy, people to people exchange, production capacity and environmental protection.