Wang Yi Speaks with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg on the Phone

On April 7, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said, not long ago, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene made a special trip to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. During the meeting with Oyun-Erdene respectively, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang reached important consensus with him, injecting new impetus into the development of bilateral relations. The more turbulent the international situation is, the more China and Mongolia, as close neighbors, should strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation.

Battsetseg completely agreed and said the Mongolian side is ready to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, keep close exchanges at all levels and strengthen communication and cooperation in various fields. The Mongolian side looks forward to giving full play to the Mongolia-China "green lanes" to further improve port operation capacity and shipment, and effectively cope with the negative impact caused by the spillover of the Ukraine crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wang Yi said that as good neighbors and friends, China and Mongolia have always stuck together through thick and thin and overcome difficulties together, and that China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Mongolia on recovery and boost Mongolia's economic and social development. Recently, the "green lanes" between China and Mongolia have been reopened, and positive progress has been made in railway transportation, road freight, customs clearance and energy and mineral trade. China is willing to work with Mongolia to speed up the construction of the China-Russia-Mongolia Economic Corridor and promote the connectivity of railway lines between China and Mongolia. China will continue to provide Mongolia with anti-pandemic materials and equipment, support Mongolia's efforts in pandemic prevention and control and ensure the smooth operation of the border ports.

The two sides agreed to continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests, avoid external interference and promote the sound and stable development of bilateral relations. Battsetseg said, Mongolia respects China's core concerns, and will as always handle its religious affairs independently.

The two sides also exchanged views on multilateral affairs. Battsetseg appreciated China's sense of responsibility as a major country in the joint fight against COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis, and spoke highly of China's commitment to promoting peace talks, resolving differences and providing humanitarian assistance. Wang stressed that the spillover effects of the Ukraine crisis have an impact on the normal economic and social operation of all countries, and Asian countries should strengthen communication and coordination to jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and development.