China congratulates new Mongolian president

China on Monday congratulated Khaltmaa Battulga on his inauguration as the new president of Mongolia, and said it expected Mongolia to continue to help boost the progress already made in bilateral ties.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news conference that China is concerned over some irresponsible remarks that did not conform to facts about the bilateral relationship and cooperation during the presidential election.

"I'd like to stress that the relationship between China and Mongolia, as close neighbors, has achieved great progress on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. This has brought concrete interests to both countries and their people. It is obvious to all," Geng said.

He said, in the future, China will continue to pursue a neighborhood diplomacy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and meanwhile cherish developing friendly cooperation with Mongolia.

"We expect and believe Mongolia will also make the same constructive efforts as China," he added.

Battulga of the opposition Democratic Party earned 610,451 votes in the presidential run-off on Friday, while Miyegombyn Enkhbold, the rival candidate from the Mongolian People's Party, garnered 496,765 votes.