Mongolia, China agree on extensive cooperation

Oyundelger 2018-08-27 08:08

Politics

The plan to build a wastewater processing plant in Ulan Bator was progressing and joint efforts were being made to start the construction within this year.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an official visit to Mongolia and the two countries have reached consensus on expanding bilateral relations and cooperation. Making the announcement at a joint press conference with Mongolian Foreign Minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar, Wang said China appreciates the new Mongolian government's more clear-cut and resolute policy toward China. The purpose of his visit was to have an in-depth exchange of views with the Mongolian side and implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both sides. To enrich the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership, both sides should enhance political mutual trust and support, Wang said, adding that the two countries should closely work on developing the Belt and Road Initiative. For China, it promises, as always, to respect Mongolia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the Mongolian people's independent choice of their development path in line with their national conditions. Mongolia and China agreed to maintain high-level exchanges. Wang said China welcomes Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga and Mongolian FM Tsogtbaatar Damdin to pay a state visit next year. In addition, both sides agreed to accelerate the integration of BRI and Mongolia's Prairie Road development initiative and work out specific plans. The two countries have agreed to launch a joint feasibility study on a free trade agreement (FTA) next month, and speed up building a cross-border economic cooperation zone. Both sides also agreed to deepen pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve a 10-billion-U.S.-dollar target for bilateral trade by 2020. The plan to build a wastewater processing plant in Ulan Bator was progressing and joint efforts were being made to start the construction within this year. Also, the China-funded project to renovate Mongolia's shantytowns had entered the initiation phase with construction expected to start next year. China also said it will consider Mongolia's call for more export of animal husbandry products and mineral products to China, and continue to provide support for Mongolia in cross-border transportation and access to the sea. In 2019, Mongolia and China will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The two sides will carry out exchanges among youths and in culture, education, science, and technology. Both countries agreed to strengthen China-Mongolia-Russia cooperation, accelerate the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor, and commit to the revitalization and development of the region. China will continue to support Mongolia's participation in international and regional affairs and the two will jointly play a constructive role in ensuring peace and stability in Northeast Asia as well as the rest of the world. China and Mongolia also agreed to support international justice and the overall interests of developing countries, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and a rule-based global free trade system.