Presidents of China, Russia, Mongolia to hold three-party meeting

BEIJING - China and Mongolia are calling for a three-party meeting among presidents of China, Russia and Mongolia in the near future, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday.

The consensus was reached during President Xi Jinping's Mongolia visit last month, Qin told a daily press briefing, adding the three countries are maintaining close communication.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Ulan Bator Wednesday for a one-day working visit and held talks with his Mongolian counterpart Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj to promote bilateral cooperation.

Both China and Mongolia, Russia and Mongolia are good neighbors and partners linked by mountains and rivers, Qin said, stressing China hopes the development of Russia-Mongolia ties will be conducive to regional peace and stability.

China is willing to work together with Russia and Mongolia to achieve stability and development of the region, he said.

During President Xi's state visit to Mongolia on Aug 21-22, President Xi and President Elbegdorj signed a joint declaration to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.