Chairman of the State Great Khural G.Zandanshatar will pay an official visit to the Republic of Turkey on October 13-17 at the invitation of Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Şentop.

On October 14, the Speakers of the two countries held official talks.

At the outset, the Turkish Speaker expressed satisfaction with the fact that the development of relations and cooperation between the two countries, which was slowed down due to the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, is being intensified and high-level visit is being organized. He then emphasized that Mongolia declared Turkey as its “third neighbor” in 2011 while expressing willingness to bring Mongolia-Turkey relations to the level of “Strategic Partnership”.

Moreover, the Turkish Speaker expressed his interest in expanding cooperation in air transportation and put forth a proposal to increase the frequency of direct flights by Turkish Airlines and cancel the passenger limit.

Expressing his commitment to further expanding interparliamentary cooperation, Mr. Mustafa Şentop invited Mr. G.Zandanshatar to take part in the 11th Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking States in April 2023.

Thanking his counterpart for the warm welcome, the Mongolian Speaker expressed satisfaction with the development Mongolia-Turkey relations and cooperation and underscored that the people of Mongolia and Turkey have a long history of friendly relations.

He then reaffirmed his commitment to bringing Mongolia-Turkey relations to the level of “Strategic Partnership”, before expressing support for his counterpart’s proposal to increase the frequency of direct flights and cancel the passenger limit.

“Mongolia has over 70 million livestock and has the potential to bring 20 million livestock into economic circulation annually. We have a capacity to export 100 thousand tons of meat and 25 million livestock leather and raw materials per year. Mongolia accounts for 50 percent of the supply of cashmere products in the world. Therefore, I would like to express willingness to deepen cooperation in the fields of agriculture and animal husbandry based on the Turkish advanced technology and Mongolia’s resources”, said the Mongolian Speaker.

In accordance with the Government of Mongolia’s decision to declare 2023 the year of visiting Mongolia, the Mongolian side also voiced interest in cooperating with the Turkish side in increasing the flow of tourists.

He mentioned that the ruins of Hulagu Khan's summer palace and the monuments related to the ancient Turkic Empire were found in Turkey's Van province and Mongolia's Arkhangai province respectively. He then expressed willingness to expand cooperation in the protection and conservation of cultural monuments and heritages and develop tourism based on archaeological discoveries.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Sunday vowed to steer China through grave challenges toward national rejuvenation, advancing a nationalistic vision that has put it on a collision path with the West.

Speaking at the opening of the 20th Party Congress, where he is poised to secure a norm-breaking third term in power, Xi struck a confident tone, highlighting China’s growing strength and rising influence under his first decade in power.

But he also repeatedly underscored the risks and challenges the country faces.

Describing the past five years as “highly unusual and extraordinary,” Xi said the ruling Communist Party has led China through “a grim and complex international situation” and “huge risks and challenges that came one after another.”

The very first challenges Xi listed were the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong and Taiwan — all of which he claimed China had come away from victorious.

The Chinese government, Xi said, had “protected people’s lives and health” from Covid, turned Hong Kong from “chaos to governance,” and carried out “major struggles” against “independence forces” in the island of Taiwan, a self-governing democracy Beijing claims as its own territory despite having never controlled it.

Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist with the Australia National University’s Taiwan Studies Program, said Xi’s decision to flag the Taiwan issue early on in his speech was a departure from previous speeches and conveys a “newfound urgency on making progress on the Taiwan issue.”

Xi won the loudest and longest applause from the nearly 2,300 handpicked delegates inside the Great Hall of the People when he spoke about Taiwan again later in the speech.

He said China would “strive for peaceful reunification” — but then gave a grim warning, saying “we will never promise to renounce the use of force and we reserve the option of taking all measures necessary.”

“The wheels of history are rolling on towards China’s reunification and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Complete reunification of our country must be realized,” Xi said to thundering applause.

Xi also underscored the “rapid changes in the international situation” — a thinly veiled reference to the fraying ties between China and the West, which have been further strained by Beijing’s tacit support for Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He said China has “taken a clear-cut stance against hegemonism and power politics” and “never wavered” in opposition to unilateralism and “bullying” — in an apparent jab at what Beijing views as a US-led world order that needs to be dismantled.

Laying out broad directions for the next five years, Xi said China would focus on “high quality education” and innovation to “renew growth” in the country’s crisis-hit economy. China will “speed up efforts to achieve greater self-reliance in science and technology,” he said, in comments that come just months after his damaging crackdown on the country’s private sector and major tech companies.

Xi also vowed to speed up efforts to build the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into a “world-class military,” pledging to improve the PLA’s ability to safeguard national sovereignty and build strategic deterrence. He also urged the PLA to strengthen its training and improve its “ability to win.”

Xi’s speech was peppered with the Chinese term for “security” — which was mentioned about 50 times. He called national security the “foundation of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” and urged enhancing security in military, economy and “all aspects,” both at home and abroad.

Another point of focus was Marxism and ideology. “I don’t think there will be any relaxation of the ideological atmosphere in the coming five years,” said Victor Shih, an expert on elite Chinese politics at the University of California.

Dali Yang, a political scientist at the University of Chicago, said the directions laid out in Xi’s opening speech were a continuation of his previous policies. By emphasizing the challenges and struggles, he said, it justifies “the need for a strong party and its great leader.”

Cementing power

The week-long congress kicked off on Sunday morning amid heightened security, escalated zero-Covid restrictions and a frenzy of propaganda and censorship.

The Communist Party’s most consequential meeting in decades, the congress is set to cement Xi’s status as the China’s most powerful leader since late Chairman Mao Zedong, who ruled until his death aged 82. It will also have a profound impact on the world, as Xi doubles down on an assertive foreign policy to boost China’s international clout and rewrite the US-led global order.

A sense of crisis has defined Xi's rule. It will shape China well into the future

The meetings will be mostly held behind close doors throughout the week. When delegates reemerge at the end of the congress next Saturday, they will conduct a ceremonial vote to rubber stamp Xi’s work report and approve changes made to the party constitution — which might bestow Xi with new titles to further strengthen his power.

The delegates will also select the party’s new Central Committee, which will hold its first meeting the next day to appoint the party’s top leadership — the Politburo and its Standing Committee, following decisions already hashed out behind the scenes by party leaders before the congress.

The congress will be a major moment of political triumph for Xi, but it also comes during a period of potential crisis. Xi’s insistence on an uncompromising zero-Covid policy has fueled mounting public frustration and crippled economic growth. Meanwhile, diplomatically, his “no-limits” friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has further strained Beijing’s ties with the West following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

In the lead-up to the congress, officials across China drastically ramped up restrictions to prevent even minor Covid outbreaks, imposing sweeping lockdowns and increasingly frequent mass Covid tests over a handful of cases. Yet infections caused by the highly transmissible Omicron variant have continued to flare. On Saturday, China reported nearly 1,200 infections, including 14 in Beijing.

Public anger toward zero-Covid came to the fore Thursday in an exceptionally rare protest against Xi in Beijing. Online photos showed two banners were unfurled on a busy overpass denouncing Xi and his policies, before being taken down by police.

“Say no to Covid test, yes to food. No to lockdown, yes to freedom. No to lies, yes to dignity. No to cultural revolution, yes to reform. No to great leader, yes to vote. Don’t be a slave, be a citizen,” one banner reads.

“Go on strike, remove dictator and national traitor Xi Jinping,” read the other.

The Chinese public have paid little attention to the party’s congresses in the past – they have no say in the country’s leadership reshuffle, or the making of major policies. But this year, many have pinned their hopes on the congress to be a turning point for China to relax its Covid policy.

A series of recent articles in the party’s mouthpiece, however, suggest that could be wishful thinking. The People’s Daily hailed zero-Covid as the “best choice” for the country, insisting it is “sustainable and must be followed.”

On Sunday, Xi defended his highly contentious and economically damaging zero-Covid policy.

“In responding to the sudden outbreak of Covid-19, we prioritized the people and their lives above all else, and tenaciously pursued dynamic zero-Covid policy in launching all-out people’s war against the virus,” he said.

Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, said Xi’s words signaled it is “impossible for China to change the zero-Covid strategy in the near future.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday that his country wants to strengthen ties to Mongolia, citing the country’s wealth of key commodities such as copper and rare earth metals.

Speaking after a meeting in Berlin with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, he said the two leaders had agreed to “deepen and also expand cooperation between our two countries.”

Scholz said combating climate change and transforming the energy sectors would be the focus of a meeting in Mongolia next year, adding that the country has “enormous potential when it comes to wind and solar power.”

Germany, meanwhile, is keen to strike deals to import more commodities from the landlocked Asian nation to reduce its reliance on countries such as Russia and China.

“Mongolia will become an important partner for many raw materials in our diversification strategy,” said Scholz, adding that concrete projects now need to be identified and legal certainty for investments ensured.

A new entity that will take over the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project in the Russian Far East has been officially set up.

Russian state media TASS reported that the company was registered on Friday. Its head office is located in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

The move comes after the Russian government issued a decree to that end. A subsidiary of state-run Rosneft was assigned to become the new entity.

Foreign participants in the Sakhalin-1 project must notify the Russian government within one month if they agree to retain their stakes in the project.

Japan has a 30 percent stake in the project through Sakhalin Oil and Gas Development Company, or SODECO.

Half of the holding is owned by the Japanese government, and the rest is held by businesses, including Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. and trading firms Itochu and Marubeni.

The Sakhalin-1 project was originally led by Exxon Mobil with Rosneft, SODECO and others as partners. But in March, Exxon announced its intention to end its operations in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Inspite of the unbelievable gains of one’s Mongolian Empire in earlier times, Mongolia is known as a financially and you will politically erratic nation in the The southern part of China. Nearly fifty% off Mongolians are now living in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Even when Mongolia has stunning landscapes, it can’t be entitled a well-known website visitors interest.

As compared to other Asian countries, Mongolia is not used to getting several anyone. Yet, having muddy matches datingsite step three million customers, it appears to offer a great deal. And you can make sure of that following the first glimpse on breathtaking Mongolian girls. Such beauties keeps that which you to carry delight and you will like into your relationships. Getting since the hardy as their forefathers, Mongolian women has an interior power leading her or him during their existence. This doesn’t mean which they cannot be soft and you will feminine, even though.

Relationships inside Mongolia is not with no demands though. Therefore, West men should be cautious with respect to fulfilling regional women.

In terms of relationships, local lady tend to marry forever. Due to this it entails returning to them to get a hold of a good prime lover. Using its adventurous spirit, he is fine with the thought of marrying a non-native. Matchmaking for the Mongolia isn’t without demands although. Very, West males have to be careful in terms of meeting local ladies. The main reason discussing this is one Mongolia women can be not as the unlock-inclined and easy-going because Western chicks. Hence, be sure that you know-all the brand new nuances prior to taking the fresh new first rung on the ladder.

What exactly are Mongolian Female Instance?

Mongolian ladies features loads of higher features appear enticing to help you regional and you may foreign men. Except that physical charm, he has got clear intelligence and you can hitting charm. So, why don’t we wade deeper with the info.

Charm

Western people love Mongolian lady for their exotic traits. They simply are unable to resist the innate attraction out-of regional beauties. The typical Mongolian female possess sweet almond-shaped vision, ebony hair, and painful and sensitive mouth area which make the fresh hearts out of people from other countries defeat shorter right away. Despite a yellow-brown complexion, this lady epidermis seems smooth for example ceramic.

Really Mongolian ladies are slightly short yet , slim. The same as most other Far-eastern beauties, they are aware the secret out of appearing young also within a mature ages. Therefore, they will not must alter some thing inside their face or muscles because of businesses. Courtesy an organic research, they express their characteristics. It will not be an overstatement to declare that informal build and you will natural splendor suit him or her finest.

Attributes

You cannot refute that Mongolian women are stunning. But what covers about the lovely faces? As the descendants of Mongol conquerors, he has got internal power powering within their bloodstream. It offers a visible impact to their conclusion and you may thinking so you’re able to lives. Even with living in a mostly patriarchal society, very Mongolian brides receive an educational degree. Whether or not they want to be housewives otherwise establish a profitable job, self-innovation remains an integral part of its life.

From very early childhood, Mongolian women are trained to getting feminine, comfortable, and you can respectful. They want to come across a soulmate which have which capable possess a harmonious matchmaking that’s considering complete trust and you may mutual esteem.

Off early childhood, Mongolian women can be trained to become feminine, comfortable, and respectful. They would like to find an excellent soulmate that have just who they could have an unified relationship that is based on complete faith and you can mutual esteem. Due to this they usually get married only when inside their life of the dedicating themselves on their partner. When you come home every evening, their compassionate spouse is available. Very, the kids could well be growing upwards for the an atmosphere out of like.

(Français)

Prime Minister of Mongolia L.Oyun-Erdene today paid a courtesy call on President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

During the meeting, the Mongolian Prime Minister expressed confidence that the visit will be an important impetus to bring Mongolia-Germany relations and cooperation to a new level. Moreover, the PM said that the Government of Mongolia attaches utmost importance to its relations with Germany and noted Mongolia’s goal of advancing the current level of relations between the two countries, which is being developed at the level of “Comprehensive Partnership”, to “Strategic Partnership”.

Expressing his pleasure for the visit from the country which shares common values of democracy and human rights with Germany, the German President underscored the significance of the high-level visits in further strengthening bilateral ties.

The parties agreed to organize high-level visits within the framework of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries which will fall in 2024.

Citizens can obtain cervical cancer care and services from more than 30 public and private hospitals with contracts with the Health Insurance General Office, such as National Cancer Center, Central Military Hospital, Songdo, and Second State Central Hospital.

If hospitals under contract with the Health Insurance Office charge additional fees from citizens, they can report it to the "Customer Contact Center" at 1800-1363.

Resolution No. 01 of 2022 of the National Council of Health Insurance stipulates that Health Insurance will cover 100 percent of the cost of all types of cancer care and services. Within the framework of this resolution, health insurance finances MNT 628,000 for drug treatment of this illness and MNT 3,043,000-4,526,000 for surgical care services depending on the surgical equipment and complications.

As a result, as of last August, 172 insured persons participated in cervical cancer care and services and improved their quality of life. Health Insurance Office provided MNT 362 million to the Health Organizations to pay for their treatment.

Sailingstone Capital Partners, the fifth-biggest investor in Turquoise Hill Resources (TSX: TQR) said on Friday it will vote against Rio Tinto’s (ASX, LON: RIO) intended $3.3 billion takeover of the Canadian miner, in a shareholder meeting on Nov. 1.

The activist investor said that Rio’s bid not only undervalues the target, but it also intends to take advantage of the “material governance failures” created by independent directors of both mining companies over the last decade.

Sailingstone, a US-based fund manager specializing in resources companies that has a 2.2% stake in Turquoise Hill, had already said it considered the offer too low and “opportunistic”.

Rio Tinto announced on Sep.1 it had reached an agreement after six months of takeover talks to buy the 49% of the Canadian miner it didn’t already own for a figure about 20% higher than the original $2.7 billion bid, made in August.

The deal would give the global miner a 66% stake in the giant Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia, one of the world’s largest known copper and gold deposits. The remaining 34% is owned by the Mongolian government.

Rio Tinto has had a rocky relationship with the Quebec-based miner, particularly over how to fund Oyu Tolgoi’s expansion. Rio has also drawn criticism from some of Turquoise Hill’s minority shareholders about the control it exerts over the company.

The global miner, which has mined copper from Oyu Tolgoi’s open pit for a decade, and the Mongolian government ended earlier this year a long-running dispute over the $7 billion expansion of the mine.

Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm has said the proposed takeover would simplify governance, improve efficiency and create greater certainty of funding for the long-term success of the Oyu Tolgoi project.

Mongolia and China share a border of more than 4,700 kilometers, and both countries are strategic partners and friendly and good-neighboring countries, exemplified by the fact that China has been Mongolia's largest source of investment and trading partner for 18 consecutive years. On September 15, the heads of China, Mongolia and Russia extended the Outline of the Development Plan on Establishing the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor by five years in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, unleashing greater potentials for the regional prosperity while upgrading Mongolia's role as a transit hub between the East and the West.

Changes have already taken place for Mongolia with trade and economic cooperation with China coming to a historic high under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As Mongolian Ambassador to China Tuvshin Badral (Badral) said, "the BRI is expected to help alleviate the difficulties brought about by Mongolia's landlocked geographical location, and it will also play an important role in bringing more economic opportunities to the region and beyond."

In an exclusive interview with Ambassador Badral, he shared with Global Times reporter Yin Yeping (GT) how the Mongolian side believes that the BRI proposed by China can deepen cooperation and contribute to the development of the region and beyond.

Mongolian Ambassador to China Tuvshin Badral Photo: Courtesy of embassy

Mongolian Ambassador to China Tuvshin Badral Photo: Courtesy of embassy

GT: What are your expectations to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that is due to be convened on October 16?

Badral: First of all, I wish the 20th CPC National Congress a successful convening. The 20th CPC National Congress will unite and lead all parties, ethnic groups and people to develop continuously, and will comprehensively summarize the great and valuable achievements in the development and maintenance of socialism with Chinese characteristics, with detailed analysis of international and domestic situations. Therefore, we are confident that the 20th CPC National Congress will be a complete success.

Over the past decade, China has solved the problem of extreme poverty and achieved its century-long goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. I think that says enough of the great achievements made in this period.

Mongolia has also made important achievements and accumulated rich experience in ensuring sustainable socio-economic development. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of Mongolia-China relations, and sharing development achievements with neighboring countries is an important driving force for the development and cooperation of Mongolia-China relations. Therefore, I believe that after the successful convening of the 20th CPC National Congress, Mongolia-China relations will continue to develop, benefiting both countries and peoples.

GT: In your perspective, how would the upcoming congress chart China's economic development in the next five years? What would be the focal points?

Badral: The top leadership is of great significance to China's economic development in the next five years. I believe that China's economy will further develop and see more prosperity. I believe that China's high-quality economic development in the next five years will make significant contributions to the realization of the long-term goal of basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035 and the goal of turning to be a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful in the middle of this century.

As a friendly and good neighbor of China, Mongolia hopes that China's economic development will continue to rise. Mongolia is willing to work with China to deepen the connection between the "Steppe Road" plan and the Belt and Road Initiative, Mongolia's "New Revival Policy" and the "Global Development Initiative," and thus creating the development engine of our bilateral relations. We firmly believe that China's development will benefit more neighboring countries including Mongolia and achieve common development and prosperity in the world.

GT: The leaders of China, Mongolia and Russia held their sixth meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 15. The three parties confirmed the extension of the Outline of the Development Plan on Establishing the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor by five years. Can you talk about the significance of the corridor to Mongolia's economic development and bilateral trade with China?

Badral: The China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor is an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative. On June 23, 2016, during the third meeting of the three leaders in Tashkent, the outline of the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor was signed.

On September 15 this year, during the SCO Summit held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the leaders of Mongolia, China and Russia exchanged views on the economic corridor to be implemented under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and extended the implementation plan of the economic corridor for five years.

The construction of the Economic Corridor aims to further strengthen trilateral cooperation between China, Mongolia and Russia by increasing trilateral trade volume, enhancing product competitiveness, strengthening transit transport facilitation, and developing infrastructure through cooperation projects.

The tripartite "planning outline" includes 32 projects in the fields of transportation infrastructure development and interconnected highways, railway corridors, cross-border transport development, production capacity cooperation, improving customs supervision, energy, tourism, environmental protection, customs cooperation, education, science and technology, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and agriculture. The construction of China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor will play an important role in expanding Mongolia-China trade, promoting Mongolia's economic development and improving people's livelihood.

GT: Also at the summit, the three sides officially launched a feasibility study on the upgrade and development of the middle-line railway of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor. Can you tell us more about the middle-line railway?

Badral: The three sides jointly issued the "Joint Statement on Launching the Feasibility Study on Upgrading and Developing the Middle Line Railway Corridor" in Samarkand and agreed to launch the "Work Plan for Feasibility Study on Upgrading and Developing the Middle Line Railway Corridor."

At present, 82 transport lines have been opened for China-Europe freight trains. In 2021, the total number of trains between China and Europe reached 15,183, an increase of 22 percent year-on-year, and the number of trains passing through Mongolia has also increased steadily. Based on its unique geographical location connecting Asia and Europe, Mongolia is committed to becoming a "Transit Mongolia" hub for trade, tourism, transport and logistics networks, freight transport and services. Therefore, the expansion of China-Europe railway transportation is in line with the above objectives.

GT: The three countries agreed at the summit to actively promote the laying project of the China-Russia natural gas pipeline transiting through Mongolia. Can you disclose the details of the project? If the project is implemented, what benefits will it bring to China and Mongolian trade?

Badral: The Mongolian side attaches great importance to the construction project of China-Russia natural gas pipelines transiting through the territory of Mongolia, and has maintained active interaction with China and Russia on the implementation of this project. Mongolia has actively promoted this project at various settings, including the recent trilateral and bilateral meetings such as the expert level meeting of the "Working Group on Economic Corridor between Mongolia, Russia and China" which was held on November 12, 2021, and the "Mongolia-China Inter-Committee Meeting of Cooperation on Mineral, Energy and Interconnectivity" that was held on November 15, 2021.

Within this framework, on January 21, Mongolia and Gazprom reached an agreement on the preliminary conditions for the feasibility study of the "Russian Gas Supply Pipeline Construction Project from Mongolia to China."

At the recent meeting, China expressed active support for the construction project of a natural gas supply pipeline from Russia to China through the territory of Mongolia which will have a positive impact on the energy security of Northeast Asia.

In this way, the three parties have reached a consensus at the political level, and leave the technical and economic evaluation work for the project implementation team of the parties. After this evaluation, the contribution to Mongolia's society, economy and the economic and trade development of Mongolia and China will be clearer.

GT: On September 9, Mongolia's first heavy cargo railway was completed and opened to traffic. How do you evaluate the significance of the opening of the railway to the promotion of China-Mongolia trade? The opening of this railway also provides a legal basis for the opening of the 2nd railway channel. Can you tell us more about that?

Badral: On September 9, the opening ceremony of the railway from Mongolia's Tavan Tolgoi coal mine to Gashuun Sukhait port was held. Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh said in his speech, "this is a road of development, investment, and opportunity for Mongolia." In the future, Mongolia will get more and better development with the help of this railway.

In 2021, the two sides successfully agreed on the railway crossing point of the Mongolia-China Gashuun Sukhait-Ganqimaodu border port. At present, Mongolian and Chinese railway agencies continue to implement railway construction in their respective territories, and will connect cross-border railways very soon.

The opening of the railway will shore up Mongolia's ability to export minerals to China and to third countries through Chinese ports, and will lay the foundation for the opening of the second Mongolia-China railway channel in the future.

After the railway is opened to traffic, the annual coal export capacity will reach 15 to 20 million tons, and bring many advantages such as increasing bilateral trade volume, reducing transportation troubles, increasing coal export volume and limiting the risk of cross-border transmission of the COVID-19 epidemic.

As of today, the road transportation cost from Tavan Tolgoi to Ganqimaodu port is about $40 per ton, and the rail transportation cost has dropped to $8, which is five times lower than the current transportation mode. The railway will also create new jobs and development opportunities, with an initial forecast of around 2,000 permanent jobs.

GT: China has been Mongolia's largest source of investment and trading partner for 18 consecutive years. How much do you expect the bilateral trade volume for this year and which commodities will be the boosters of the trade growth?

Badral: At the time of the severe epidemic, due to the close cooperation, both sides have maintained positive economic and trade relations, while ensuring the normal operation of ports. The bilateral trade volume will continue to grow steadily in the future.

The economic relations between Mongolia and China are highly complementary. In the future, according to the long-term development policy, the two sides can deepen the cultivation of mining, processing industry, food, agriculture, energy, tourism, small- and medium-sized industry, transportation and logistics, information technology and other fields.

From January to September, Mongolia's total foreign trade volume amounted $13.35 billion, of which trade with China accounted for 60 percent. The bilateral trade is mainly affected by the epidemic.

Under the condition that epidemic prevention and control measures are taken well and the turnover of goods at border ports is maintained, the bilateral trade volume is expected to exceed $10 billion, surpassing last year's achievements.

Bilateral trade is mainly dominated by mineral products. The increase in the price of mineral products in the world market and the increase in Chinese demand have played a major role in the growth of bilateral trade volume. Affected by the epidemic last year, Mongolia exported about 15 million tons of coal to China. This year, Mongolia plans to increase coal exports.

Trade volume between China and Mongolia Graphic: Tang Tengfei/GT

Trade volume between China and Mongolia Graphic: Tang Tengfei/GT

GT: Mongolia has been an active participant to the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. How do you evaluate the benefits that the construction of the BRI has brought about to Mongolia's economic and trade development?

Badral: Since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed in 2013, China has established cooperation with 149 countries and 32 international organizations under the BRI and has implemented a large number of key infrastructure projects, and achieved substantial growth in trade and investment.

Mongolia and China share a border of more than 4,700 kilometers. We are strategic partners and friendly neighbors. China is one of my country's largest trading and investment partners. Through active consultation, the two sides have agreed to align the development policies and goals of the two countries, and signed a memorandum of understanding on the alignment of Mongolia's Steppe Road Program and China's BRI.

The Mongolian side believes that the BRI proposed by China can deepen cooperation in soft and hard infrastructure among countries and contribute to the development of the region and the world. The BRI is also expected to help alleviate the difficulties brought about by Mongolia's lack of a seaport and landlocked location, and it will also play an important role in bringing more economic opportunities to the region and beyond.

GT: Mongolia is sitting on a large amount of rare-earth resources, but due to insufficient technology and other factors, these resources have not been well exploited. China has the world's largest number of rare-earth mining, refining and separation patents. Do you think there is room for cooperation on both sides in the development and utilization of these resources?

Badral: Within the framework of bilateral cooperation in the mining sector, we can study and carry out cooperation in this field, especially given the fact that mineral product trade accounts for 70-80 percent of Mongolia-China economic and trade cooperation. Currently, the Mongolian government aims to improve the bilateral trade structure, increasing the volume of final commodity trade, and diversifying product categories.

This year, we have agreed with the Ministry of Commerce of China to revise the Medium-term Development Outline of Mongolia China Economic and Trade Cooperation for the second time. For example, in the next five years, the two sides plan to carry out close cooperation in the field of processing and value-added product industry. The leaders of Mongolia and China have repeatedly encouraged and supported cooperation and exchanges in this regard at high-level meetings.

Mongolia has rich natural resources, while China has advanced technology, manpower, capital and patents. We welcome more Chinese companies and enterprises to invest in Mongolia, develop rare minerals, and cooperate with Mongolia to produce final products.