Five pacts signed with Mongolia

Li, visiting prime minister find more ways to strengthen ties 

Five agreements were signed on Monday to promote China-Mongolia cooperation in fields such as production capacity, cross-border trade and environmental protection.

The agreements were witnessed by Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh.

"You have visited our country many times and attach great importance to China-Mongolia relations," Li told the Mongolian Prime Minister. "This is your first visit to China since taking office and I believe it will inject new momentum and vitality into bilateral ties."

China would like to strengthen the Belt and Road Initiative's alignment with Mongolia's development strategies and accelerate a feasibility study of a free-trade zone, the premier said. Both countries should speed up cooperation in investment, manufacturing of agricultural and animal husbandry products, energy and minerals and cross-border transport, he said.

Li also called for projects related to people's livelihoods to be carried out. Among them were shantytown renovation, pollution control and added infrastructure in urban areas and key ports, which will bring real benefits to local people.

China has been Mongolia's biggest trading partner during the past decade. China and Mongolia announced the goal of forging a comprehensive strategic partnership when President Xi Jinping visited the neighboring country in 2014. Li paid an official visit to Mongolia and attended the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Ulaanbaatar in July 2016.

Li said China appreciates the Mongolian government's firm adherence to the one-China policy and would like to continue respecting each other's core interests and major concerns while making exchanges of high-ranking officials, legislators and parties.

Closer communications between the two countries should be boosted to promote ties and regional peace and prosperity, the premier said.

Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of establishing bilateral diplomatic ties. Li said people-to-people exchanges in culture, media and tourism should be enhanced to celebrate such important moments.

Khurelsukh congratulated Li on his second term. He said his country firmly adheres to the one-China policy and its commitment will remain unchanged that Taiwan and the Tibet autonomous region are inseparable parts of China.

Khurelsukh said that Mongolia is ready to start the feasibility study of a free-trade zone this year and expand pragmatic cooperation in fields such as trade, tourism, production capacity, mining, agriculture and animal husbandry and transport.

Before their meeting, Li hosted a ceremony to welcome Khurelsukh.

The Mongolian prime minister also met with Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, before heading to Hainan province to attend the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference.