Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 1109 gmt 13 Apr 97

Xinhua is the official News Agency of the People's Republic of China

Excerpts from report by Xinhua news agency

Ulaanbaatar, 13th April: Qiao Shi, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), arrived here today for a three-day official visit...

In a statement at the airport, Qiao said that he hoped his visit will help enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between China and Mongolia and strengthen the good relations between the two countries.

He said that China and Mongolia are neighbours linked by mountains and rivers and the Chinese and Mongolian people have been friendly to each other for years.

Since the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Qiao said, China and Mongolia have continued to develop their friendly ties and cooperation and the Chinese NPC has maintained good relations and exchanges with the Great Hural.

He said that good-neighbourly relations between the two countries not only benefit the two peoples but are also conducive to peace and development in the region...