Cooperation between China and Mongolia has been fruitful on all fronts and his country is ready to work with its northern neighbor to further strengthen bilateral ties, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said in Ulan Bator Thursday.
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar in Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, June 19, 2008.(Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
At a meeting with Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, Xi said China attaches great importance to developing ties with Mongolia and stands ready to join hands with it to consolidate mutual friendship and enhance cooperation, so as to promote the sustained and healthy growth of bilateral relations.
A shared respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for each other's chosen development paths, and deepening mutual trust and understanding have served as the key to the marked growth in bilateral relations, said Xi.
Bilateral cooperation in all fields has been fruitful and brought substantial benefits to the people of the two countries, the Chinese leader said.
Xi, who arrived in Ulan Bator earlier in the day on an official visit, thanked the Mongolian government and people again for the aid and condolences they offered after last month's massive earthquake in southwest China.
President Enkhbayar said it is Mongolia's firm and unchangeable policy to develop good-neighborly and friendly cooperation with China.
He expressed the belief that the Chinese government and people will be able to rebuild the quake-affected areas as soon as possible and host a successful Olympic Games.
Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and Mongolia hopes to further advance bilateral relations through joint celebrations to mark the occasion, Enkhbayar said.
He said the Mongolian government will, as always, adhere to the one-China policy and support China's stance on the Taiwan issue and issues concerning Tibet.
(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2008)