PRESIDENT SENDS CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO HIS CHINESE COUNTERPART
President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga has congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on his re-appointment by the National People’s Congress.
The President extended his congratulations on Mr. Jinping’s appointment for a second term as President, expressing his confidence that China will achieve its goals under his leadership.
President Kh.Battulga appreciated President Xi Jinping’s reiteration to maintain mutually beneficial cooperation and to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in his letter sent to Mongolia shortly after his election as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China.
“Mongolia maintains the continuity and integrity of its foreign policy, and I have repeatedly expressed my commitment to intensify Mongolia’s traditional friendly relations and cooperation with the neighbors,” the President said in his letter.
He continued, “During your visit to Mongolia in 2014, you spoke of a win-win partnership for Mongolia and China and China’s commitment to fulfill its promise. Your speech at the Mongolian Parliament produced deep trust and big expectations among the Mongolian people. However, obstacles and misunderstandings continue to arise, perhaps due to the ignorance and lack of dedication on the parts of the lower and middle levels.
Mongolia and China aim to maximize bilateral trade turnover to USD 10 billion by 2020 and reached agreement on bilateral cooperation on border crossing. However, there have been difficulties in border trade, delaying the realization of bilateral agreements and objectives.
In an effort to reduce poverty and increase employment, Mongolia is highly interested in trading not only raw materials but also processed goods with China. Mongolia imposes 5 percent customs tax on import whereas the Chinese side imposes tax rate of up to 30 percent on some goods, which is the main barrier in bilateral balanced trade. Majority of Mongolians agree with your ‘win-win’ partnership rule.
Mongolians see China as an eternal good neighbor and the biggest trade partner of Mongolia and are confident that you will pay attention to the solution of barriers in bilateral trade and transport relations.
I am ready to work with you on advancing the comprehensive partnership between Mongolia and China based on the respect of each other’s core interests, activating mutually beneficial cooperation, and solidifying the mutual trust and friendship of the people and national development.”