China supports the efforts by Mongolia to strengthen its nuclear weapon-free status to help promote the regional stability, said a joint statement issued Tuesday, July 6, in Beijing by the two countries.

The two countries also agreed "not to participant in any military and political alliance targeting the other side", and "not to sign any treaties or agreements infringing on the national sovereignty and security of the other side with third countries".

According to the statement, the two sides mentioned the significance of the high-level exchanges of visits, vowing to have more direct contacts between the leaders. They also pledged to continue dialogues and cooperation in the political, economic and security fields, and meanwhile properly handle the problems existing in the bilateral relations.

The first security consultations between the defense ministries of the two countries is beneficial, said the statement, adding that they will continue to hold the consultations.

The statement noted that the two sides will further the economic and trade cooperation with the resources exploration and infrastructure construction as the priority, and will promote the cooperation on culture, education, tourism and other areas. The two sides agreed to run the Mongolia culture week in China in 2005.

The two sides reiterated building up a peaceful, friendly and cooperative border, said the statement.

Mongolia reaffirmed in the statement that the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing the whole China, and it will not support so-called "Taiwan Independence".

The statement was issued on the visit by Mongolian President Nachagyn Bagabandy at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao. The two countries also signed agreements on economic and trade cooperation, as well as a document on China's offering economic aid to Mongolia.

China, Mongolia vow to enhance cooperation in int'l arena

China and its northern neighbor Mongolia vowed to enhance cooperation in international issues, ranging from UN reform and regional political dialogue to the nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula.

In the joint communique, the two sides agreed that the reform of the United Nations should be sped up and the UN's role should be enhanced.

The communique said the two countries support the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, noting the problem should be solved through dialogue. Mongolia spoke highly of contribution to the six-party talks from China and other concerned sides.

China has hosted three rounds of six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue since last year, involving the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan. The fourth round is scheduled for September in Beijing.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation under bilateral and mutual mechanisms. China reiterated its support for Mongolia to join the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Asia-Europe Meeting.

The communique appealed for an early conclusion of the China-Mongolia-Russia cross-border communication talks, saying that will accelerate economic and trade cooperation among the three countries.

The two countries condemned terrorism in any form, highlighting international anti-terror cooperation, according to the communique.