Premier Li Keqiang called for further cooperation with Mongolia during a meeting with visiting Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat in Beijing on May 12.

Erdenebat is in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation scheduled for May 14 to 15.

Premier Li said that as neighboring countries of comprehensive strategic partnership, China and Mongolia will continue to hold onto the principle of mutual respect and treating each other equally, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

By stepping up aligning Mongolia’s Prairie Road development initiative with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, China hopes to accelerate investments in cross-border port construction and trade cooperation, and push forward the feasibility study on a free-trade zone, to promote bilateral trade to a higher level, the Premier added.

He said China will make efforts to implement the consensus reached for promoting cooperation on housing construction, deep-processing of agricultural and animal products, and the utilization of energy resources.

Erdenebat said Mongolia respects China’s core interests and highly praised China’s policy of good-neighborly friendship. Mongolia is willing to dovetail China’s development initiative with its national development program, tap cooperation potential, and enhance cooperation on mineral, agricultural and animal husbandry, cross-border trade and port construction, environmental protection and renewable resources.

They witnessed the signing of agreements on bilateral trade, people-to-people exchanges, and other areas after the meeting.

State Councilor Yang Jing also attended the meeting.