Xi, Mongolian leader hail ties over 75 years

President Xi Jinping and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh exchanged messages to celebrate the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties on Wednesday, pledging joint efforts to take forward this relationship for the benefit of both peoples.

In their congratulatory messages, the two leaders reflected on past achievements from bilateral ties while stressing a readiness to forge even closer cooperation.

Mongolia, which shares a long border with three of China's provincial-level regions, was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. The diplomatic ties were forged on Oct 16, 1949.

Xi highlighted in his message the enduring principles of good neighborliness and friendship that have guided the two countries over the years.

China and Mongolia have continuously deepened mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, which have brought tangible benefits to their peoples, he said.

China has been Mongolia's largest trading partner and source of investment for many years. Last year, bilateral trade volume exceeded $16.5 billion, marking a 36.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Noting that he highly values the development of China-Mongolia ties, Xi said he is willing to work with his Mongolian counterpart to promote the steady and sustained growth of the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership, guided by the vision of building a community with a shared future.

Khurelsukh reflected on the steady development of friendship and mutual trust between the two countries over the past 75 years.

He expressed his readiness to work with Xi to further align Mongolia's Steppe Road Program with the Belt and Road Initiative, in order to contribute to the development of the two countries and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Mongolia was one of the first countries to participate in the BRI, with encouraging results from cooperation being achieved in areas such as trade and investment, connectivity and projects aimed at improving people's well-being.

Also on Wednesday, Premier Li Qiang and Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene also exchanged congratulatory messages.

Li said that China will work with Mongolia to use the 75th anniversary as a new starting point for both nations to pursue modernization and achieve mutually beneficial cooperation.

Oyun-Erdene said he is ready to further deepen the traditional friendly relationship between Mongolia and China and build a bright future for bilateral relations.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership, which was established during Xi's state visit to Mongolia in 2014. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding all-around cooperation during Khurelsukh's state visit to China in 2022.