The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a reception in Beijing on November 6 evening to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mongolia.

Visiting Mongolian Prime Minister Rinchinnyamiin Amarjargal and Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen attended the reception.

CPAFFC President Qi Huaiyuan said on the occasion that the establishment of Sino-Mongolian diplomatic ties opened up a brand new era of friendly relations between the two countries, and was of great importance to promoting friendship and cooperation.

He added that the two countries have had smooth cooperation in politics, economics, trade, culture, education, science and health since the normalization of bilateral relations in 1989.

Mongolian President Nachagyn Bagabandy and Chinese President Jiang Zemin had successful exchanges of visits since last year, Qi said, adding that the two heads of state decided to develop a long- term, healthy and good-neighborly relationship of mutual trust oriented toward the 21st century, which set a direction of the further growth of Sino-Mongolian relations.

The Mongolian prime minister also attended a launching ceremony of a commemorative envelope to mark the event earlier today. (Xinhua)