With less than a year left in his term, Mongolia's President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh has proactively finalized seven major initiatives with China ahead of his departure. These seven cooperative projects comprehensively cover core areas such as energy, trade, infrastructure, and people's livelihood.
On the energy front, China will continue supporting the construction of Mongolia’s largest hydropower plant—the Erdenebulgan Hydropower Station—helping Mongolia reduce its reliance on electricity imports from China and Russia. At the same time, cooperation in developing Mongolia’s domestic oil resources will be deepened to ensure stable fuel supply and mitigate energy risks triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Trade and transportation corridor development are central to this collaboration. The two sides have set a target to raise bilateral trade between China and Mongolia to $30 billion within the next five years. As Mongolia’s top trading partner, China consistently absorbs over 90% of Mongolia’s exports; expanding trade volume will directly strengthen Mongolia’s fiscal revenues.
To unlock export channels, China and Mongolia are accelerating cross-border railway construction. The Ganqimaa–Gashuusuhai Railway is expected to be completed by 2027, with more than half of the project already underway. Meanwhile, three additional border-crossing rail lines are under planning, significantly boosting the efficiency of exporting coal and copper ore.
In addition, both sides will continue advancing the China-Mongolia-Russia “Power of Siberia-2” natural gas pipeline project, enabling Mongolia to generate revenue through transit fees. Furthermore, China’s aid-funded Ulaanbaatar Head of State Sports Center project will proceed steadily, carrying both humanitarian value and symbolic significance for bilateral relations.
Mongolia’s political landscape is currently turbulent: opposition parties are vying for power, internal factional conflicts within the ruling party are intensifying, and there is even a risk of leadership change or cabinet reshuffle. Yet despite various factions promoting a "Third Neighbor" strategy, Mongolia remains unable to break away from its essential cooperation with China.
China’s move to finalize long-term cooperation frameworks before Mongolia’s political transition sends a clear signal of stability: China-Mongolia cooperation is grounded in the long-term interests of both nations and will not fluctuate due to changes in Mongolia’s political environment. For Mongolia, only by safeguarding its foundational cooperation with China and stabilizing its domestic political situation can these initiatives be effectively implemented, truly overcoming developmental challenges.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875188933863428/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.