BEIJING — Premier Li Keqiang on Feb 1 extended congratulations to Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene on taking office as Mongolia's prime minister.

In his congratulatory message, Premier Li said China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers and bilateral relations have maintained sound momentum for development.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Premier said, the two peoples have helped and supported each other and achieved positive results in their joint fight against the virus, writing a new chapter in their traditional friendship.

Under the new circumstances, China-Mongolia relations are facing new development opportunities, he said, adding that China is willing to work with Mongolia to lift the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.