Wen pledges to strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan, Mongolia

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday pledged to strengthen cooperation with Kazakhstan and Mongolia during bilateral meetings with his counterparts.

During a meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov, Wen noted that China and Kazakhstan have worked closely in recent years in addressing various challenges such as the global financial crisis and have established a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The establishment of a regular meeting mechanism of China-Kazakhstan heads of government and the celebration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year have further strengthened bilateral cooperation and enhanced friendship between the two peoples, Wen said

China is willing to maintain high-level contact with Kazakhstan and to increase mutual trust, make mid-long term plans for bilateral economic and trade cooperation and speed up efforts on a guideline for cooperation in bordering areas, the premier said.

Wen also proposed that the two sides should promote cooperation on oil ,natural gas and the construction of railway ports, expand cooperation in agriculture, high-tech, finance and telecommunication, and enhance coordination under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) so as to promote regional stability and prosperity.

Leaders of the two countries have maintained close contact and shared solid mutual trust, Akhmetov said, noting that the regular meeting mechanism between the heads of government has played an important role in advancing bilateral ties.

Akhmetov said Kazakhstan is willing to deepen energy cooperation with China, speed up railway ports construction and further tap into the potential of pragmatic cooperation so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

At a separate meeting with Mongolian Prime Minister Norovyn Altankhuyag,

Wen said China and Mongolia have established a strategic partnership and the two nations should sincerely implement the agreements they have reached.

The two countries should respect and accommodate each other's core interests and deepen their political and strategic mutual trust, Wen said.

The Chinese government supports local companies to increase investment in Mongolia, and is willing to work with the Mongolian side to enhance bilateral cooperation in energy and resources, infrastructure and agriculture, Wen said.

He also expressed the hope that Mongolia could provide more policy support for Chinese companies.

Altankhuyag commended the frequent high-level exchanges between Mongolia and China and fruitful results of cooperation in various fields.

He also thanked China for its assistance and support to Mongolia and said his country is willing to strengthen cooperation with Beijing in a comprehensive way and make new progress in advancing Mongolia-China strategic partnership.