Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Ulan Bator Thursday morning for an official visit to Mongolia.

During the visit, Xi will meet with President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, Prime Minister Sanj Bayar and Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia Danzangiin Lundeejantsan.

Xi will exchange views with the Mongolian leaders on bilateral relations and the issues of common concern in an extensive way. He will also make contacts with people from all sections of the Mongolian society.

In a written speech released upon arrival at the airport, Xi said China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors linked by land and rivers and the peoples of the two countries cherish a long-standing friendship.

In recent years, under the joint efforts of the two countries, bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such fields as politics, trade, economy, culture and education have been growing continuously, he said.

Xi said China places great importance on its relations with Mongolia and expressed the belief that his visit will further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries and the partnership of good neighborliness and mutual trust.

Noting that China and Mongolia are both major countries in Northeast Asia, Xi said the development of China-Mongolia relations is in the basic interest of both sides and conducive to peace and development in the region as well.

Xi made the official visit to Mongolia at the invitation of the Mongolian government.

Mongolia is the second stop of Xi's first overseas trip since he assumed office earlier this year. He concluded an official goodwill visit to?North Korea Thursday morning before flying to Ulan Bator.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2008)