CRI听力:Xi's Mongolia Visit to Promote Bilateral Ties: Officials

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to start a two-day state visit to China's northern neighbor Mongolia on Thursday.

The visit is the first to the country by President Xi Jinping since taking office in March of last year.

It is also the first visit to Mongolia by a Chinese head of state in 11 years.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Chinese assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao says Xi Jinping's two-day trip will include a busy and high-profile itinerary.

"During the visit, President Xi and his Mongolian counterpart will hold large and small scale talks, as well as ink and publish an important bilateral political document. They will also witness the signing of a series of cooperation deals in the sectors of politics, economy, trade, finance and culture. In addition, President Xi will meet with the chairman of Mongolia's State Great Khural, Zandaakhuugiin Enkhbold, and Prime Minister Norovyn Altankhuyag. President Xi will also address the State Great Khural."

Liu Jianchao also says the Chinese President's visit will push forward the already-close economic ties between the two countries.

"Our two sides will further clarify the strategy of conducting mining, infrastructure construction and financial cooperation in a coordinated and unified manner. We aim to make a new breakthrough in our bilateral pragmatic cooperation while prioritizing interconnection and cooperation in large mining projects."

Also speaking ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj says he believes there's an opportunity for more trade and investment between the two neighbors in the coming years.

He is also promising a better investment environment for Chinese investors.

"Improving the investment climate is an important component in our economic and trade policies. Recently, our parliament revised certain laws to facilitate foreign investors. We will continue to work in this regard."

China has been Mongolia's largest trading partner and investor in the past 10 years, with the bilateral trade volume reaching 6 billion U.S. dollars last year.

China and Mongolia share 14 border crossings used for cross-border import and export, which helps benefit local economies on both sides of the border.
 
China mostly imports coal, oil, minerals, livestock and other primary products from Mongolia, while electromechanical and agricultural products, construction materials, and textiles from China are popular in Mongolia.

At present, thousands of Chinese companies operate in Mongolia in areas including mining, textiles, construction and farm production.

For CRI, I'm Yin Xiuqi.