China's Senior Military Official in Mongolia to Expand Cooperation

May 10, 2012 defpro.com

ULAN BATOR | A senior Chinese military official described the China-Mongolia border as a bridge of friendship at the start of a visit here Wednesday night to promote ties between the two militaries.

Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou said on arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport China and Mongolia were friendly neighbors and the shared 4,710-km borderline was a bridge to promote friendly exchanges of the two peoples and two militaries.

In recent years, the two sides had enjoyed quite fruitful cooperation and exchanges in all fields. The bilateral strategic partnership established in 2011 marked a new stage of development for bilateral ties, Xu said, adding the two countries' military ties had been growing continuously.

Xu said developing good-neighborly and friendly cooperation with Mongolia was a steady strategic policy of the Chinese government. And it was in the fundamental interests of both the Chinese and the Mongolians to step up cooperation, promote economic and social development, as well as maintain regional peace and stability.

He said the purpose of his visit was to consolidate and further develop the traditional China-Mongolia friendship and deepen friendly cooperation of the two armed forces.

The vice chairman said he would exchange views with his Mongolian counterparts on issues of common concern, and further promote mutual understanding, strengthen mutual trust and expand consensus so as to further boost military-to-military cooperation.

Xu will meet leaders of the Mongolian government and its armed forces to discuss issues concerning international and regional security.

The visit was at the invitation of Mongolian Defense Minister Jadambaa Enkhbayar. (Xinhua)