The economies of Mongolia and China, with different advantages, are highly complementary, he said, adding he hopes the two sides can expand pragmatic cooperation for mutual benefits.

Premier Wen also delivered a speech on Wednesday at the opening of the Sino-Mongolian Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum.

In his speech, Wen made four proposals on further boosting bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

First, to boost investment in mineral resources development and infrastructure construction. Funds and technological support will be provided for this endeavor.

Both nations should push for the completion of a number of major projects at early dates to contribute to the comprehensive enhancement of bilateral ties, he said.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Mongolia in such fields as energy, railway, highway, port and telecommunications. China is also ready to work with Mongolia to extend bilateral cooperation to such fields as environment, logistics, tourism, science and technology, he said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) meets with Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj in Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, June 2, 2010. [Pang Xinglei/Xinhua]

Second, China supports its enterprises to import more farm and animal husbandry products from Mongolia and encourage them to invest in projects that create more jobs and improve the livelihood of local residents.

China is willing to increase economic aid to Mongolia and intensify support for Mongolia's farming industry, education and health sectors as well as poverty reduction efforts, said the Chinese premier.

Third, both sides should make specific efforts to implement the medium-term development outline for Sino-Mongolian economic and trade cooperation and continue to strengthen research on strategic issues.

Fourth, China and Mongolia should further strengthen their ties within such multilateral cooperation frameworks as Northeast Asia economic and trade cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Asia-Europe Meeting, and boost cooperation in trade, investment, logistic and technology within a number of sub-regional cooperation frameworks.

Wen arrived in Ulan Bator on Tuesday for a two-day official visit to Mongolia, which is the third leg of his four-nation Asian tour. He has visited South Korea and Japan and will also travel to Myanmar.