ULAN BATOR, January 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister ChiHaotian arrived in Ulan Bator on January 23 on an official visit at the invitation of his Mongolian counterpart Sharavdorjiin Tuvdendorj.

On his arrival, Chi, who is also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said in a written statement released at the airport that China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors and that traditional friendship exists between the two peoples and the two armed forces.

It said that since the normalization of Sino-Mongolia relations, frequent high-level exchanges of visits between the two countries and the two armed forces have further promoted the friendly relations based on mutual understanding and assistance.

Chi said that at the turn of century, the two sides are obliged to cooperate and work for better bilateral relations.

Mongolia is the last leg of Chi's four-state official good-will tour which has taken him to Britain, Russia and South Korea.