The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) hosted a reception in Beijing Thursday to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia.

CPAFFC Vice President Wang Yunze said China and Mongolia are "friendly neighbors with long traditional friendship between their people," and that the countries have achieved a great deal in bilateral relationship over the past 55 years.

"Especially after the normalization of the two countries' relations in 1989, the two sides continuously increased mutual understanding and trust, which has further promoted friendly relations between the two countries," said Wang.

Political trust, he said, has lead to economic cooperation. Trade volume has grown, and China has become Mongolia's biggest trading partner and source of investment.

"The Chinese people have always valued the friendship of the Mongolian people," he said. "China will continue to promote the two countries' friendly relationship in an all-round way," said Wang.

Mongolia's ambassador to China L.Amarsanaa said Mongolia was one of the first countries to have established diplomatic relations with China and that the priority of Mongolia's foreign policy is to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with China.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2004)