On August 21, 2014, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia in Ulan Bator. The two heads of state jointly summarized the development of the bilateral relations, planned exchanges and cooperation in all fields and reached a series of important consensus, unanimously deciding to upgrade the bilateral relations to comprehensive strategic partnership and adhere to good-neighborly friendship, mutual help, strengthening mutual trust and deepening cooperation, so as to jointly write a new historical chapter for the development of the China-Mongolia relations.

Prior to the meeting, Elbegdorj held a grand welcoming ceremony for Xi Jinping at the square in front of the Government Palace, with the mighty cavalry lining up on both sides of the Government Palace. Upon arrival, Xi Jinping and his wife Mme. Peng Liyuan were warmly greeted by Elbegdorj and his wife. Children dressed in national costumes presented flowers to Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan. The two heads of state stepped on the reviewing stand, and the military band played the national anthems of China and Mongolia. Accompanied by Elbegdorj, Xi Jinping reviewed the honor guard. Xi Jinping shook hands with chief Mongolian officials and foreign envoys to Mongolia, and introduced the Chinese accompanying officials to Elbegdorj.

The two heads of state held talks. Elbegdorj said that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between Mongolia and China, and President Xi Jinping's state visit to Mongolia is of vital historic significance. President Xi Jinping is Mongolia's most distinguished guest, and the Mongolian people feel very happy. I carefully read President Xi Jinping's signed article published on Mongolia's newspapers today, and totally agree with your proposal on the development of the bilateral relations. President Xi Jinping stressed in the article that China and Mongolia should be mutually trustworthy and responsible good neighbors, good partners and good friends, which I totally agree with. I believe that President Xi Jinping's visit will surely promote the bilateral cooperation for more fruitful results and the Mongolia-China relations to a new stage.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and Mongolia 65 years ago, friendship and cooperation remain the mainstream in the bilateral relations. Both sides sincerely respect each other's choice of political system and development path in accordance with their own national conditions, sincerely care each other's core interests and major concerns, sincerely regard each other's development as an important opportunity for their own development, and constantly promote the new development of the China-Mongolia relations. Such a hard-won situation should be cherished. China is willing to enhance good-neighborly friendship and mutual trust with Mongolia, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve common development and prosperity. The two sides now decide to upgrade the bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is of important strategic significance and conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. The two sides should focus efforts in the following aspects.

First, strengthen political and security cooperation. I am willing to continue to maintain communication with President Elbegdorj through different ways on important issues of common concern, and I invite President Elbegdorj to visit China and attend the host's partners dialogue to be held during the APEC Informal Leaders' Meeting this November. China appreciates that Mongolia adheres to the correct position on Taiwan and Tibet-related issues, and supports the establishment and a full play of dialogue and exchange mechanisms between bilateral departments such as the legislative institutions, diplomacy, political parties and national defense.

Second, comprehensively expand practical cooperation. For the earnest operation of China-Mongolia practical cooperation, the two sides should know and combine their respective advantages. China adheres to the principle of mutual benefits and win-win results in its cooperation with Mongolia. China is willing and able to help Mongolia in transferring its advantages into economic advantages and development advantages through close cooperation between the two countries. The two sides should continuously make good use of the China-Mongolia intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms, and put into effect China-Mongolia mid-term development plan of trade and economic cooperation to realize the goal of bilateral trade volume of 10 billion USD by 2020. The two sides should adhere to the principle of a comprehensive and balanced promotion of the "trinity" of cooperation in the exploitation of mineral resources, infrastructure construction and finance, give priority to connectivity and cooperation in major projects, strengthen cooperation in fields such as deep processing of minerals, new energy, electricity, agriculture, animal husbandry and border port, enlarge the scale of bilateral currency swap, initiate as soon as possible the preparation of negotiating and signing bilateral free trade agreement, and actively promote the establishment of the cross-border economic cooperation zone. China will continue to offer convenience for Mongolia in fields such as transit transportation and outlets to the sea, and work jointly with Mongolia to promote Asia-Europe cross-border transportation and to build the Silk Road Economic Belt. China is willing to cooperate with Mongolia within frameworks such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and hopes Mongolia can create a favorable environment for the Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in Mongolia.

Third, invigorate people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The two sides should work together to ensure the success of commemorations of the China-Mongolia Friendly Exchange Year, and strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in fields such as youths, media, language, protection of intangible cultural heritage, and prevention and control of cross-border infectious diseases and desertification. China is willing to help Mongolia strengthen human resource construction and welcomes Mongolia to establish cultural centers in China.

Fourth, promote international and multilateral cooperation. The two sides should continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation within international organizations and frameworks such as the United Nations, Asia-Europe Meeting, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. China supports Mongolia in playing a positive role in international and regional affairs and joining the APEC. China also supports the proposal of the Ulan Bator Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security and the proposal of a meeting between the heads of state of China, Mongolia and Russia.

Elbegdorj said that Mongolia highly values the development of the good-neighborly and friendly cooperation between Mongolia and China, which is a priority in Mongolia's foreign policy. The establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries indicates that the Mongolia-China relations have entered the best period in history. He fully agrees with President Xi Jinping's proposal on enhancing bilateral cooperation. China has fully taken into consideration Mongolia's interests in bilateral cooperation, which draws wide support from the Mongolian people. Mongolia always supports China's position on the Taiwan and Tibet-related issues, and does not support any forces or activities intending to split China. Mongolia hopes to expand bilateral trade with China and strengthen cooperation in fields such as agriculture, animal husbandry, coal and electricity, thanks China for giving consideration and convenience in transit transportation, and is willing to actively participate in China's proposal on building the Silk Road Economic Belt and jointly advance Asia-Europe cross-border railway transportation. Mongolia supports the bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and friendship, and is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with China in international and regional affairs to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly signed and issued the "Joint Declaration between the People's Republic of China and Mongolia on Establishing and Developing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", and jointly witnessed the signing of a series of bilateral cooperative documents in fields such as diplomacy, economy, trade, transit transportation, mineral products, infrastructure construction, finance, culture and housing construction.

The two heads of state also jointly met the press. Xi Jinping stressed that China takes developing the China-Mongolia relations as a priority in the foreign policy and that we are willing to join efforts with Mongolia to become mutually trustworthy and responsible good neighbors, good partners and good friends as well as friendly and amiable neighbors forever with hearts closed to each other, affections tied up and benefits integrated, supporting and helping each other to achieve common prosperity and development.

Elbegdorj said that he and President Xi Jinping had warm, friendly and practical talks, and unanimously agreed to enhance the bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, charting the course for the future development of the bilateral relations. Mongolia thanks China for giving support and help, and is willing to work with China to jointly open up new prospects for the bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended the above activities.