Unshakable bond of friendship between bordering nations forged over decades

Over several decades, China and Mongolia have developed a strong partnership rooted in mutual respect, economic collaboration and a shared vision for regional development.

With this year marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two neighbors continue to build on their historic ties, deepening cooperation in areas such as trade and infrastructure.

China's rapid development and economic achievements have brought opportunities to Mongolia and created new platforms for cooperation between the two countries, said Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene recently.

At a reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia on Sept 27 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Oyun-Erdene said in his speech that over the past 75 years, China has developed rapidly and become a country that plays an important role in global peace, stability and economic development.

"The traditional friendly relations between our two countries have become a model for international and regional neighboring relations," Oyun-Erdene said.

Oyun-Erdene expressed confidence that under Mongolia's Vision 2050 long-term development policy, and the New Revival Policy and within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Mongolia-China-Russia Economic Corridor, the two countries will achieve more significant project cooperation.

Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Shen Minjuan said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia, the 30th anniversary of the signing of the China-Mongolia Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Looking back, the most valuable aspect of China-Mongolia friendship has been mutual trust, close high-level exchanges, deep-rooted public ties, and mutual understanding and respect for each other's core interests, Shen said.

Economic collaboration has been the cornerstone of China-Mongolia relations. China is Mongolia's largest trading partner and investor, with trade between the two nations continuing to grow rapidly.

In 2023, bilateral trade hit a record of more than $17 billion, up some 36 percent year-on-year. Mongolia's exports to China primarily consist of minerals such as coal, copper and rare earth elements, while China exports machinery, consumer goods and electronics.

The BRI has also provided a boost to economic ties, with infrastructure projects such as the railway underground passage in Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, serving as a key example of cooperation.

Recently, the first tunnel of the project, constructed by China Railway No 4 Engineering Group, was opened to rail traffic.

Speaking at the tunnel's opening ceremony, Ulan Bator Mayor Khishgee Nyambaatar noted that the project enhances the city's urban image, improves quality of life for residents and boosts economic development.

Ambassador Shen said that the tunnel is an important project connecting the BRI with Mongolia's "Steppe Road" development strategy, adding that the first tunnel took over a year to complete and is now operational, with the other three tunnels progressing rapidly.

Mongolia shares a 4,710-kilometer land border with China, making it China's longest neighboring land border. The two countries established diplomatic relations on Oct 16, 1949. Since then, good-neighborly relations have remained in the mainstream. Especially over the past 20 years, relations between the two countries have developed rapidly with remarkable achievements.

China and Mongolia established trade relations in 1951. In 1991, the two governments signed a new trade agreement, replacing the intergovernmental barter trade with cash-based trade. In the same year, the two governments signed an investment protection agreement.

In recent years, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries has continued to expand, with China consistently being Mongolia's largest trading partner and investor for several years.