PREMIER MEETS ZHOU YONGKANG

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ On Wednesday, August 24, the Prime Minister S.Batbold received Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Secretary of CPC Central Political and Legislative Committee. The sides confirmed their aspirations to widen the Mongolia-China strategic partnership relations and to enrich it with new contents and objective collaboration. Mr. Yongkang highlighted the two countries respect each other's independence, territorial integrity and own ways of development, and expressed a willingness to develop cooperation in ensuring the economic independent situation of Mongolia. The Chinese side also wants to cooperate with Mongolia in expanding collaboration and ties in the fields of mining, erecting an oil refinery, railway, transit transportation, agriculture, food safety, border ports, communication and information. Thus, a memorandum on construction of an oil refinery will be signed during the visit. Also, the Chinese side will grant a non-refundable aid of CNY 40 million to Mongolia. The two sides discussed issues on expanding the cooperation between legislatives bodies and local administrations as well as the cooperation in youths, political parties, environment, culture and education spheres. S.Batbold thanked the Chinese side for a readiness to cooperate with Mongolia in ensuring the economic independence of Mongolia, and then pointed out the government of Mongolia is working under a purpose to manufacture value-added products. At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the bilateral relations and cooperation, and regional and international issues as well.

B.Khuder