Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Thursday that China will further enhance its cooperation with Mongolia amid dramatically changing international situation and the current global financial crisis.

On the sidelines of the 7th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Chinese premier met with Sanj Bayar, prime minister of Mongolia, which is an SCO observer.

During the meeting, Wen hailed the continued development of the good- neighborly partnership between the two countries.

Both China and Mongolia are experiencing an important stage of development, and the two sides should strengthen communication and coordination in a bid to cope with challenges and lift China-Mongolia good-neighborly friendship to a new height, Wen said.

Wen proposed that the two countries maintain high level contacts and enhance political mutual trust.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mongolia. The two countries should take this opportunity to further bilateral exchanges and cooperation, Wen said.

China and Mongolia should boost cooperation in such priority areas as mineral resource exploration and infrastructure construction, so as to realize a mutually beneficial and win-win situation, he noted.

Wen also said the two countries should strengthen cooperation on multilateral affairs in an effort to maintain regional peace and stability.

Bayar said Mongolia highly values its friendly cooperation with China and hopes to increase exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries.

On the financial crisis, Bayar said Mongolia is willing to cooperate with China in overcoming the ongoing financial meltdown.

Wen arrived here Wednesday evening on a three-day official visit to Kazakhstan to attend the 7th prime ministers' meeting of SCO member countries.

The SCO, a regional organization founded in June 2001, comprises China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with Mongolia, India, Iran and Pakistan holding observer status.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2008)