Chinese FM meets Mongolian counterpart

BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here Thursday with visiting Mongolian counterpart Luvsanvandan Bold, emphasizing China's commitment to ties with neighboring nations.

It marks Wang's first meeting with a foreign minister in 2014. Wang said the talks showcased the importance China attaches to Mongolia and also the neighboring region.

Triplet celebration

"China and Mongolia will witness a triplet of celebrations in bilateral ties this year," Wang said. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral relationship, the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between Mongolia and China and the China-Mongolia Friendship and Exchange Year.

China will not only be a friendly and good neighbor but also a trustworthy partner of Mongolia, Wang said.

Bold, for his part, said Mongolia makes developing its relationship with China the priority of its diplomacy, and stands ready to deepen cooperation of mutual benefit.

The two sides agreed to support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and push ahead high-level contacts.

China and Mongolia will also further annual two-way trade volume to reach the goal of $10 billion, and explore the feasibility of building a free-trade zone.

Meanwhile, the two sides agreed to expand cultural cooperation and facilitate people-to-people exchanges.

In order to protect common interests, the two ministers gave consent on joint activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II next year.

After the one-hour talks, the two officials signed an arrangement for celebrating the China-Mongolia Friendship and Exchange Year.

New opportunity for neighbotd

At a press briefing after the talks, Wang highlighted important opportunities China will bring about this year for neighboring nations, or even the whole region.

"China will launch a new series of reform in 2014. Transformation of China's economy and exploitation of its market potential will bring new opportunities for the world," Wang said.

"We expect to have China's friendly neighbors as the first batch of 'passengers' onboard the express of China's new-round of reform and development," he said.

Noting China's latest proposals on regional cooperation, such as building the Silk Road economic zone, the Maritime Silk Road, the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and upgrading its free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Wang said regional countries' economic development will benefit.

Furthermore, China in this year will host summits of APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) and CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia).

He also expressed China's will to handle disputes with neighboring countries through talks with good-will and in a candid manner, on the basis of safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Bold kicked off his visit to China on Thursday. During the six-day tour, he will also meet with Vice President Li Yuanchao and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, and visit northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.