Demand for coal is skyrocketing in China, which is driving new mining, coal stockpiling and widespread power cuts. This year, analysts estimate China will burn about 4 percent, or 160 million tons, more coal than the year before. First of all, a jump in power demand – as China’s economy recovered, demand for goods produced there has surged. And second, COVID – to understand that, needed to zoom out and look outside China to Mongolia.

Mongolian coal is more needed than ever in China because China cut off Australia, its other source of coal imports, as political punishment. Mongolia replaced Australia as China’s largest source of supply, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced the closure of the two main coal truck routes in May. China has also shut its borders to Mongolia to stop COVID transmission. And to ferry coal to China, Mongolian drivers must first live in sealed quarantine bubbles, really just tent camps, to prove they do not have the virus.

Mongolian coal exports to China have plummeted to just a third of what they were last year, pushing Chinese coal prices even higher. China has also tried to boost its own coal production, but it spent years closing down smaller, dirtier, unsafe mining facilities, meaning it can’t just press a button and order more coal to be produced. The upside is, this year’s power shortages have made it painfully clear to Beijing it needs to accelerate power reform measures.

During 2020, Mongolia’s total coal exports plunged by 22 percent to 28.6 million tonnes, well below the target set by Ulaanbaatar at the start of the year to lift exports to beyond 40 million tonnes last year. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was the chief reason for the plunge in Mongolian coal deliveries, Mysteel Global noted.

The coal trading between Mongolia and China was disrupted again from late November when a new wave of the pandemic hit both countries. As Chinese and Mongolian government authorities adopted immediate COVID-19 tests on truck drivers, coal transportation was disrupted again. Last year, the price trend of Mongolian coking coal price in China moved in almost the opposite direction to coal exports, according to Mysteel’s data. Through 2020, Mysteel’s price assessment for Mongolian processed coking coal with 10 percent ash, 27 percent volatile matter and 0.65 percent sulphur increased Yuan 180/tonne (USD 27.9/t) on year to Yuan 1,280/t at the border checkpoint and including the 13 percent VAT.

On 1 December, South Korean MBC television reported a serious case of bullying which fuelled anger among Mongolians. According to source, 13 year-old Mongolian girl has been beaten, tortured and poured alcohol in her mouth by four senior Korean students. They tortured the victim for six hours. The incident happened at one bully’s home in Busan city in July, 2021. Furthermore, the students sold video recordings of the victim being bullied to others for KRW 5000.

However, two of four Korean students were freed by South Korean court because they were under age to take criminal responsibility for their actions by law.

Today (3 December), some Mongolians have demonstrated peacefully outside of South Korean Embassy in Ulaanbaatar for demanding justice for the victim. The demonstrators handed their demanding letter to Lee Yeo Hong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Mongolia. The demands are included compensation and legal help to the victim and fair punishment.

On behalf of the Ambassador, Mr. Kim Chol-san, deputy chief of South Korean mission in Mongolia promised to take his responsibility as a diplomat and to cooperate with his government for bringing justice for the victim. He also promised to give an official report of the case results to the Government of Mongolia.

COVID-19 infections are decreasing in Mongolia, with below 500 new infections reported on average each day as result of high number of vaccination rate. According to Health Ministry, the number of new daily Covid-19 cases has plunged by 70 percent since peaking mid-September.

As of today, the coverage of first dose reached 70 percent, second dose – 67 percent and third dose or a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines – 16 percent of the total population.

On Friday (3 December), Mongolia reported 3 deaths linked to COVID-19; the lowest since the country of 3.4 million confirmed its first local transmission in November, 2020. The Covid-19 is toll decreased by 4.5 times from the beginning of a year.

Furthermore, active cases of coronavirus are cut to 10 thousand from 66 thousand.

There have been 382,898 infections and 2,011 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.

At the Zamiin-Uud border checkpoint, trial operations of container handlers have begun to be carried out for the transport of containers between Mongolia and China, reports Deputy Prime Minister S.Amarsaikhan.

Following the completion of necessary preparations, freight will begin to be transported through the Zamiin-uud border checkpoint of Mongolia and the Erlian border checkpoint of China from December 5.

More specifically, the Deputy Prime Minister said during a press conference held on November 29, “As the matter concerning infections in Erlian is now under control, we agreed to resume the traffic of vehicles between the two countries. As for the agreement reached with the side of China for exchanging freight at the border, it will begin to be implemented in three days. A working group has been established to create correlation between the operations of inspection organizations working at the border region.”

However, as it was necessary to make further preparations, the transportation of goods and products through the border checkpoints have been postponed by two days.

Within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of India, Speaker of the State Great Khural G.Zandanshatar met with the country’s Minister of Steel Ram Chandra on December 2.

Minister Ram Chandra concurred with the view that some impacts of the pandemic have to be taken into account and that closer cooperation is needed to move the oil refinery project forward as planned.

Mongolia has been paying special attention to the realization of the project since the beginning. For instance, to intensify the project implementation and create the legal framework the State Great Khural approved the Bill on Supporting the Development of Oil Refinery in January 2021 and the Government of Mongolia approved Regulations on State Support to the Oil Refinery in August 2021.

The plant's engineering and design work has been completed, and the construction of non-technological facilities have begun in January, the Mongolian side introduced during the meeting. In addition, the project will focus on resolving logistics issues in phases and plans to complete the construction of a crude oil pipeline six months before the plant is commissioned.

The two sides expressed their commitments to achieve the desired results through mutual support and efforts as the project is of great importance to the further expansion of the strategic partnership between the two countries and will advance economic cooperation to a new level.

Mongolia imports oil products worth USD 1 billion a year. According to the preliminary estimation, as the money stays in the country, the exchange rate will stabilize, GDP will increase by more than 10 percent, and state and local budget revenues will be raised by USD 150 million. Moreover, 600 jobs will be created in addition to developing small and medium-sized businesses along with the establishment of the oil refinery.

November 5, 2021, marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Russian Federation. In the span of a century, the two countries have shared more historical, political, and social commonalities than any of Mongolia’s other partners around the world, due to both geography and politically constructed alliances through different stages of governments. Withstanding the test of time, the history of Mongolia and Russia relations highlights extraordinary turning points in the history of Northeast Asia.

A century ago, on November 5, 1921, the Mongolian People’s Republic (MPR), and the USSR signed a Treaty of Friendship establishing diplomatic relations. A year later, in 1922, embassies were opened in Ulaanbaatar and Moscow. Despite this foreign policy accomplishment, the 1930-1940s were treacherous times where political and religious ideologies collided. Some 30,000-40,000 Buddhist monks, intellectuals, and noblemen were purged in Mongolia’s echo of the Stalinist purges underway in the Soviet Union. It wasn’t until 50 years later, in 1984 during the Tsedenbal-Batmunkh transition, that the two sides reconciled and put to rest these historical trials, with the push from the Mongolian side.

Even during the rocky period of the 1930s and ’40s, Mongolia and Russia cooperated in a number of historical watershed moments.

One of the most recognized examples is the Battle of the Khalkhiin Gol, where the MPR and USSR armies fought the Imperial Army of Japan and the Japanese puppet-state of Manchukuo from May to September 1939. This series of Battle was a prelude to World War II, coming just before Germany’s invasion of Poland.

As most of Europe went to war with Nazi Germany, Russia, too, was drawn in. Mongolia’s supply of wool, warm clothing, food, and horses became a lifeline for the Russian soldiers fighting the Germans in the midst of winter. It is said that during Russia’s war against Germany, one in every five horses were Mongolian war horses. In 2015, the then president of Mongolia, Elbegdorj Tsakhia, gifted a large bronze horse statue, titled “Through the Warring Roads,” to the Russian people from the Mongolian people – a gentle reminder of Mongolia-Russia friendship, joint efforts, and a soft power move for its continued strong ties.

For 70 years, Mongolia’s domestic and foreign policies were heavily influenced by the Soviet Union, with its economic models inspired by socialism. There is no denying Russian influence in Mongolia. However, Mongolia’s strong relations with Russia were a major steppingstone for Mongolia to be recognized by the international community and gain foreign policy and diplomatic strength. At the same time, Russia’s industrial and economic development was mirrored in the development of Mongolia’s major sectors: infrastructure, energy, railroads, and major mining developments such as Erdenet. Even after the fall of the USSR, Mongolia continued to benefit from Russian investment. According to the Mongolian Foreign Ministry, “from 1990 to 2014, the volume of Russian investments in Mongolia reached 297 million USD, which accounts for 2.1% of total foreign direct investments in Mongolia.”

For the last five years, Mongolia has accelerated its foreign policy activities with its neighbors, including Russia, to embark on new opportunities that have the potential to diversify its mining-dependent economy. In 2019, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Mongolia, the two countries signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, bringing Moscow and Ulaanbaatar even closer. The two countries are expanding cooperation in areas such as the economy, energy, and climate change-related issues.

In 2020, Russia ratified the Treaty on Friendly Relations and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Mongolia. On November 25 of this year, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov presented the Order of Friendship award to the Mongolian ambassador to Russia, Davaa Dulamsuren, recognizing his contribution and dedication in developing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Mongolia and Russia.

Mongolia-Russia relations have also been expanding in the energy sector. As Russia supplies 92 percent of Mongolia’s energy demand, particularly fuel, this is a key sector for both countries. Beyond bilateral cooperation, however, the Power of Siberia 2 mega-project, which involves Russia, Mongolia, and China, could be a game-changer for Northeast Asian gas supply. The project, with the construction of “1,942 kilometers of gas trunklines with 114 wells,” would see Russian gas transit Mongolia en route to China. Via the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, Russia’s energy pivot to Asia includes Mongolia. The government of Mongolia has been proactive in pursuing the pipeline as well, sealing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Russia in 2019.

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Mongolia-Russia ties, the Foreign Ministry of Mongolia organized a scholarly conference on “Mongolia-Russia Relations: Past, Present, and Future.” Deputy Foreign Minister B. Munkhjin, Member of Parliament S. Odontuya, and S.A. Kramintsyev, an adviser to the Russian Embassy in Mongolia, opened the conference. At the conference, historians and scholars emphasized the fact that Mongolia and Russia and their peoples have worked together to overcome challenges and political transformations.

In addition, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Mongolia and the Embassy of Mongolia in the Russian Federation organized 92 activities over the course of a month-long celebration of the two countries’ century-long ties.

Moreover, the Office of the President, the parliamentary group on Mongolia-Russia relations, and the Foreign Ministry of Mongolia organized a historic photo gallery, “Hundred Events of a Century” that featured rare black and white images of the 1921 People’s Revolution, the Battle of Khalkhiin Gol of 1939, and Russia’s involvement in World War II. These images captured many of the significant events that shaped Mongolia-Russia relations.

In his opening remarks, Russian Ambassador to Mongolia I. K. Azizov stated, “We hope that the photographs displayed in this exhibition will give a clear idea of the 100-year history of Mongolian-Russian relations and other events, and that allows us to see these events in the big picture.”

GUEST AUTHOR

Bolor Lkhaajav is a researcher specializing in Mongolia, China, Russia, Japan, East Asia, and the Americas. She holds an M.A. in Asia-Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco.

Mongolia is preparing to build on the success of its COVID-19 management policies with an ambitious new budget and progressive initiatives as part of its Vision 2050 reform agenda.

Mongolia's vaccination and booster programme has so far resulted in 66% of the total population, including 91% of adults, being doubled-vaccinated and 21% of the total population, including 35% of adults, receiving their booster. Supported by responsible public health policies, the country is seeing a steady decline in infections. Daily cases in November were down 70% from September and October, falling below 150 per day at the end of the month, with an overall case fatality rate of only 0.3%.

According to the Worldometer reference website, Mongolia ranked 39th out of 224 nations for total cases per million people as of 1 December. Furthermore, the government's decision in June to increase the number of hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients to 23,000 enabled it to hospitalise 27% of its cases, including those at risk of developing severe symptoms, helping reduce the number of fatalities.

These and other steps against COVID-19, which also include a wide ranging MNT 10 trillion (US$3.5 billion) stimulus package credited with saving over 280,000 jobs, have left Mongolia well placed to move past the challenges of the pandemic. The country now looks set to begin realising its Vision 2050 agenda, the long-term development plan introduced by new Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai. As Mongolia marks 100 years of political independence, following the 1921 Mongolian Revolution, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene has positioned Vision 2050 as a chance for Mongolia to achieve economic independence with a diversified economy, improved governance, green development, and improved quality of life among other goals.

Implementing Vision 2050's wide-ranging policies for Mongolia's economic and social development also received a boost in November with the ratification of Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene's 2022 budget, which shows a spending increase of 4 trillion MNT ($US1.4 billion) over 2021.

SOURCE Government of Mongolia

Mongolia registered 327 new coronavirus cases for the past day.

171 are contacts of earlier confirmed cases in Ulaanbaatar, 153 cases were confirmed in the regions of the country, 3 are imported cases.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached 384,731.

3 deaths linked to coronavirus infection were registered for the past day. COVID-19 death toll reached 1,943.

2,303 patients are in serious condition. 527 are in critical condition. 89 are in extremely critical condition.

The total area of irrigated lands will be increased by 8 thousand hectares next year as part of the USD 46.2 million project 'Vegetable Production and Irrigated Agriculture' funded by the Asian Development Bank.

The government has organized a bid for the project to upgrade and install irrigation systems in Taishir and Khaliun soums of Gobi-Altai aimag, Erdeneburen and Altai soums of Khovd aimag, Sagsai and Bayannuur soums of Bayan-Ulgii aimag, Telmen and Uliastai soums of Zavkhan aimag, Sant soum of Selenge aimag, Batsumber soum of Tuv aimag, and Kherlen soum of Khentii aimag.

The irrigation systems upgrade will bring an opportunity to develop intensive crop farming and over 3 thousand locals will benefit from the project.

A Mongolian parliamentary delegation led by Gombojav Zandanshatar,Chairman of the State Great Hural of Mongolia, met with President Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan

While addressing a delegation from Mongolia on Wednesday, President Ram Nath Kovind asserted that the oil refinery project in Mongolia is a symbol of the two countries' strong strategic alliance and that India is completely committed to the project's prompt completion.

The President was pleased to notice the progress of the Oil Refinery Project in Mongolia, which is one of India's developmental projects in Mongolia. This project, he said, represents the strong India-Mongolia collaboration and strategic alliance. He stated that India is totally committed to its prompt completion because it would significantly improve Mongolia's energy security.

While greeting the Mongolian delegation to India, the President further stated that India and Mongolia have shared culture, historical, spiritual, and civilisational links.

"The common values and ideals of democracy and freedom strengthen our bonds. As Mongolia's 'third neighbour' and 'spiritual neighbour', India looks forward to continued cooperation to further deepen its strategic partnership with Mongolia," MEA said in a release.

Pointing to the cooperation between India and Mongolia in facing challenges of COVID-19, the President said, ''We appreciate the timely and valuable support given to us in the second wave by the Government of Mongolia.'' He also expressed happiness that India could support Mongolia through the supply of vaccines and medicines.

President Kovind expressed his optimism that this visit would add to the dynamism of bilateral relationships between both countries. According to the President, Buddhism represents a unique link between India and Mongolia.

He also mentioned that Mongolian Kanjur manuscripts are being printed by India's National Mission for Manuscripts. He went on to say that India is assisting Gandan Monastery in digitising Buddhist manuscripts.

Apart from this, while speaking on global climate change, President Kovind stated that ''the impact of climate change would be disproportionately high on emerging countries like ours. It is critical that we collaborate to overcome this common problem.'' Mongolia has opted to join the International Solar Alliance, which he is pleased about.