Ulaanbaatar, January 29, 2024 /MONTSAME/. Deputy Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia Munkhbaatar Lkhagva met with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People’s Republic of China Zhao Leji on January 25, 2024. The two sides exchanged views on relations and cooperation between Mongolia and the PRC in trade, economy, and other fields. 

At the outset of the Meeting, Deputy Chairman of the State Great Khural Munkhbaatar expressed satisfaction with the successful organization of the 5th Session of the Regular Meeting Mechanism between the State Great Khural of Mongolia and the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, noting that this was the first in-person meeting after COVID-19 pandemic. 

Recognizing the importance of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, the Deputy Chairman emphasized the need to enhance the capacity of border ports, accelerate the construction of the port railway connecting the two countries, and intensify cooperation to strengthen the legal basis. Specifically, the Deputy Speaker requested to pay attention to advancing cooperation between railway organizations of the two countries as part of the renewing the Mongolia-China Border Railway Agreement established in 1955. 

Furthermore, Mr. Munkhbaatar put forward some proposals including reaching to agreement and starting the construction of the Khangi-Mandal cross-border railway within the framework of amending the 2004 Agreement between the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on Mongolian and Chinese Border Ports and Their Regimes; creating the legal basis for reciprocally allowing animals, plants and products of animal origin through the ports of Khavirga-Arkhashaat, Bayankhoshuu-Uvdug in the eastern region, and Bulgan-Takashiken in the western region within the plan to increase the trade of non-mining products.

In addition, the Deputy Chairman expressed interest in deepening cooperation in developing green and digital economies based on advancements in innovation, artificial intelligence, and technology. 

To celebrate the notable anniversaries in 2024, such as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, and the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two sides exchanged views on organizing joint events and strengthening mutual political trust. The Deputy Chairman of the State Great Khural and the Chairman of the Standing Committee also engaged in productive talks on matters of mutual interest in the relations and cooperation between the two countries. They expressed confidence that, under the joint efforts of the two parties, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership relations between Mongolia and China will be enriched and brought to a new stage. 

In addition, the State Great Khural of Mongolia maintains a regular meeting mechanism with similar legislative bodies of countries such as the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and the European Union. These meetings serve as a platform for exchanging opinions on advancing cooperation in crucial sectors between the two countries. 

During his working visit to China to take part in the 5th Session of the Regular Meeting Mechanism between the State Great Khural of Mongolia and the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, Deputy Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia Munkhbaatar Lkhagva visited Hohhot and Ordos cities of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.  

Deputy Speaker Munkhbaatar met with Sun Shaochen, the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the PRC, and exchanged views on the relations and cooperation in trade, economy, education, culture, and science. Mr. Munkhbaatar stressed that the visit of Mr. Sun Shaochen to Mongolia in October 2023 put impetus to the bilateral cooperation.

Mongolia and China set a goal to increase the trade turnover of the two countries to USD 20 billion US and Deputy Speaker Munkhbaatar emphasized the significant role of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in boosting the bilateral trade to USD 17.6 billion last year.