SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan — Chinese President Xi Jinping held the sixth meeting of heads of state of China, Russia and Mongolia with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and Mongolian counterpart, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, on the afternoon of Sept 15 at the Forumlar Majmuasi Complex in Samarkand.

Xi underscored the strong impetus and resilience of the cooperation among China, Russia and Mongolia.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trilateral cooperation has never stopped, and the achievements made should be recognized, he said, adding that the three countries fought the pandemic together, sending medical supplies to each other at the earliest time possible, sharing anti-epidemic experience without reservation, and jointly protecting the life and health of their people.

The three countries, Xi said, had online discussions to keep the momentum of exchanges, and the hearts of their people were brought even closer.

Cooperation on joint COVID-19 prevention and control in the border areas was carried out to keep economic and trade interactions steady and smooth, he said, adding that notable progress was made in the development of international road transportation along the Asian Highway Network connecting the three countries.

Xi put forth a four-point proposal on furthering China-Russia-Mongolia cooperation: First, keep the trilateral cooperation in the right direction. It is important to deepen political mutual trust, increase mutual support, respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and strengthen coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs.

Second, upgrade cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to jointly build a platform of cooperation against risks and challenges and a platform of growth that helps unleash the potential of development.

Third, follow through on the common understanding reached on the building of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, support the neighboring regions in deepening cooperation in economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, tourism and other fields, and continue to build high-quality platforms for the exchanges of business communities of the three countries.

Fourth, work for more outcomes in trilateral cooperation and support the expansion of settlement in local currencies in mutual trade. Russian and Mongolian financial institutions are welcome to join the RMB Cross-border Interbank Payment System to build a strong bulwark of financial security in the region.

Putin said that Russia-China-Mongolia trilateral cooperation has made significant progress, and, with its mutually beneficial nature, adds value to the development of their mutual relations.

As close neighbors, he said, the three countries should give each other understanding and support, and consolidate and promote trilateral cooperation across the board.

The three countries should encourage and support their entrepreneurs to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and push for more substantial progress in cooperation in areas such as transport, logistics, cross-border transportation, energy, high and new technology, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Khurelsukh said that the development of good-neighborly and friendly cooperation with China and Russia is a diplomatic priority for Mongolia.

Given the complex international situation, it is all the more important to strengthen trilateral cooperation among Mongolia, China and Russia, he said.

The Mongolian side, he said, is ready to strengthen communication with China and Russia and jointly work for progress in both bilateral and trilateral cooperation in trade, investment, environment, energy, railway, tourism and other areas.

The three countries confirmed the extension of the Outline of the Development Plan on Establishing the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor by five years, officially launched the feasibility study on the upgrading and development of the central-route railway of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, and agreed to actively move forward the project on the Mongolian section of the China-Russia natural gas pipeline.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng were present at the meeting.