Mongolia to continue expand exchange with China

ULAN BATOR - The new Mongolian government will continue its foreign policy priorities of developing bilateral ties with China and make efforts to expand exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, Mongolian Prime Minister Norov Altanhuyag said on Thursday.

Altanhuyag made the statement when meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo.

On the occasion of the establishment of the new Mongolian government, Dai's visit showes that China attaches great importance to developing bilateral ties with Mongolia, Altanhuyag said.

He said in recent years Mongolia-China collaborations in all spheres have developed steadily and Mongolia is satisfied with the fact that the two countries' relationship has been promoted to strategic partnership.

Altanhuyag also expressed his willingness to learn China's experience in developing the economy to help develop Mongolia's economy and improve the livelihood of the Mongolian people.

During the meeting, Altanhuyag also reiterated Mongolia's one-China policy and promised Mongolia will not allow external forces to engage in political activities against China on the Mongolian territory.

For his part, Dai said China and Mongolia share a long border of over 4,700 kilometers, their economies are highly complementary to each other, and that the two countries enjoy unique conditions to conduct cooperation.

Dai pointed out the establishment of China-Mongolia strategic partnership is a milestone in the development of the two countries' relationship, adding bilateral exchanges and collaborations are at the best time in history.

Dai said the two sides should keep the overall China-Mongolia relationship in the right direction, maintain the principle of mutual respect, deepen mutual trust, and take into account each other's major interests and concerns, without interference in each other's internal affairs.

Dai said China respects Mongolia's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as the social system and the path of development chosen by the Mongolian people.

He hoped the two countries will further expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation, increase cultural exchanges and continuously enrich the China-Mongolia strategic partnership.

Also on Thursday, Dai also held talks with Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister D. Terbishdagva.

During the talks, Dai said that China and Mongolia are important neighbors to each other and developing bilateral ties meets the fundamental interest of both sides.

Dai spoke highly of the "culture month" activities held respectively in each other's country and hoped the two sides will continue to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, among others.

China supports Mongolia's active participation in regional cooperation in Asia, Dai said, adding the two sides should strengthen coordination within the framework of the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting, and the Organization of Shanghai Cooperation to safeguard their common interests.

Terbishdagva said that the strategic partnership cemented between Mongolia and China last year is historic in the relations between the two countries.

Mongolia is willing to work together with China to constantly strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, said Terbishdagva.