Chinese, Mongolian presidents meet on promoting co-op

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj during their meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 12, 2013. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinpingmet with Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj in Bishkek on Thursday and both leaders agreed to promote bilateral cooperation.

Xi said China, following the win-win principle, will strengthen its economic and trade cooperation with Mongolia in the three major areas of mineral resources exploitation, infrastructure construction and financial cooperation.

The three areas are integral parts of the overall bilateral cooperation and plans to promote cooperation in them should be drafted as a whole, Xi said, adding the two countries should also implement some big interconnection projects.

China has always attached importance to developing its ties with Mongolia and respected the country's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and the development path chosen by the Mongolian people themselves, Xi said.

The Chinese leader believed the China-Mongolia strategic partnership will continue to make progress through the joint efforts of both sides.

For his part, Elbegdorj said Mongolia has been implementing the strategy of revitalizing the country by developing its rich mineral resources.

Mongolia hopes to increase cooperation with China in areas such as energy, mineral resources, economy, trade and infrastructure, he said.

The country would like to implement some big landmark cooperation projects, and take measures to create a good environment for bilateral cooperation, he added.

The Mongolian leader also said his country is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on regional and international affairs.

Xi arrived here late Tuesday for a state visit to Kyrgyzstan, the last stop of his ongoing four-nation Central Asia tour.

He will also attend the 13th meeting of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States slated for Friday in the Kyrgyz capital.