The supply chain subsidiary of Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group, one of largest state-owned coal and chemicals producer in China, reported the successful customs clearance of its first batch of Mongolia coking coal, about 30,000 tonnes, through Ceke border crossing on June 27, marking a solid step for the company in the field of international trade.

China is the largest destination of coal exports from the landlord country, but the major coal producer itself hasn't imported coal from Mongolia before.

Since the coal cross-border transportation resumed at Ceke port on February 10, the company has quickly sent teams to the port and also Ganqimaodu port to gain a thorough understanding of transportation, warehousing, and sales conditions, in order to accelerate the progress of importing Mongolian coal.

This coal trade also marked the first usage of Chinese yuan for settlement. By prioritizing the use of the local currency, the company not only enhanced the yuan's internationalization but also facilitated the achievement of budget targets and ensured the smooth operation of business activities and risk management.

Ceke, as an important transportation hub connecting Northwestern China with Mongolia, plays a crucial role in coal trade. The company's strategic focus on expanding the Mongolian coking coal import scale is in line with China's Belt and Road Initiative and the "China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor."

(Writing by Alex Guo Editing by Emma Yang)

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On June 29 and 30, Mongolia’s Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh hosted foreign ministers from France, Germany, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, and South Africa as well as representatives from international organizations in Ulaanbaatar. They discussed issues related to gender equality, including ways to tackle the climate crisis and food insecurity, resulting in the “Ulaanbaatar Declaration.” Mongolia, which recently joined the “Feminist Foreign Policy Plus Group” at the United Nations – an alliance of countries engaging in the topic – says it will hereby contribute to promoting feminist and gender transformative approaches to multilateralism and foreign policy.

Feminist foreign policy wants to strengthen the rights, resources, and representation of women and marginalized groups, in the proven knowledge that more inclusive decision-making leads to more sustainable diplomatic and peace processes. Germany’s government became the seventh country to commit to a feminist foreign policy (FFP) in late 2021. Since then, more states have announced their commitments, including Chile and the Netherlands.

They have joined a reform-minded club – one that promotes a sharp new understanding of security that puts the interests of people, rather than states, at the center. For governments, this means aiming at status quo assumptions, national interests, and relations with other states. While FFP’s implementation and focus may vary from state to state, it is still a commitment to fundamental transformation.

The ceremony of handing over the standard management plan for the closure of the Salkhit silver and gold mine was held yesterday at the "Tuushin" hotel.

The mine closure pilot plan is to improve land use, to provide a healthy and safe living environment for the people in the mining area, and in general, to improve the social and economic benefits when the mine is closed. It is a complex activity to liquidate the infrastructure of the mine, restore the environment, and carry out environmental monitoring. Rehabilitating areas affected by mining activities in order to enable them to be used again sustainably has a positive effect on local communities and ecosystems.

Erdenes Silver Resource LLC, a daughter company of a group of state-owned mining companies Erdenes Mongol, was handed over "Mongolia: Enhancing Resource Management through Institutional Transformation" (MERIT) Project, implemented with the funding of the Government of Canada and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country. The project was fully implemented in two phases from September 2021 to June this year.

Erdenes Silver Resource LLC operates in the Salkhit silver and gold deposit located in Gurvansaikhan soum of Dundgobi aimag. Despite the fact that the exploitation of the Salkhit silver and gold deposit will continue for the next 8-10 years, the closure plan has been developed and presented. By accepting the standard mine closure management plan, the company assumes the responsibility of implementing the laws and regulations related to mine closure and rehabilitation and working as a pioneer in the further development of responsible mining. Ambassador of Canada to Mongolia Mrs. Catherine Ivkoff noted in her opening speech, "In advanced mining countries, closure plans are developed before the operations begin. Actually, the closure management plan goes hand in hand with the mine operations."

Mining industry participants in the ceremony emphasized that the management plan for the closure of the Salkhit mine will be a world-standard model that can be used in other mines in Mongolia.

Quite a number of mines have been closed in the past in Mongolia. However, first of all, the closures were done in different ways for a certain period of time due to various conditions of the mines, such as depletion of resources, and financial and economic conditions, as pointed out by the legal adviser of the MERIT project G. Surakhbayar.

In a sense, the mining sector of our country has developed intensively in the last 30 years with foreign and domestic investments, still, there is no history of closing mines based on rational, correct, and theoretical concepts. However, he emphasized the significance of this closure management plan as it is being implemented in Mongolia in accordance with world norms and standards.

During the visit of the Prime Minister of Mongolia L. Oyu-Erdene to China, Minister of Environment and Tourism B. Bat-Erdene met with representatives of 22 leading companies, including Chinese tourism group North China Region, CTG Travel Service Corporation Ltd., China Gaund Tourism Group, Ctrip International Travel Service, UTour Group Co., Ltd., and Tuniu Tour, etc., and introduced them new activities and events in the Mongolian tourism industry. The parties agreed to carry out the following activities between the two countries. They include:

• Reviving the tourism activities of three countries in the scope of the "Great Tea Road" ;

• Cooperation in border tourism;

• Cooperation with the online "Ctrip" agency to import and trade Mongolia's travel products;

• Providing comprehensive tourism support within the "Belt and Road" economic corridor;

• Cooperation with the TOP 22 Chinese tourism entrepreneurs in receiving Chinese tourists;

• Supporting investment in the tourism industry.

As part of the "Visit Mongolia Years" being implemented by the Government of Mongolia, our country aims to receive 400 thousand tourists from China.

The Head of China's Beijing Foreign Cultural and Trade Association, Pan Ching Lin, expressed support for collaboration and coordination between Mongolian and Chinese tourism companies for realizing the goal of receiving "One Million" tourists this year, specifically 400 thousand tourists from the southern neighbor. In addition, both sides emphasized that the Silk Road or "Belt and Road" project is an opportunity to start new relations in the field of tourism between the two countries.

In 2020, the Mongolian Government amended Law on Celebrations and extended the public holiday during the Naadam Festival from three days to five. This year, Mongolians will get a full week of holiday on 10-16 July.

Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Naadam Festival unites Mongolians to celebrate their heritage, customs via an enthralling mix of sports and arts. Held every year from July 11-15, it is evidence of their long history, devotion to their nomadic culture, and unwavering national pride. Witness the vigour and spirit of Mongolia, as the whole country comes together in a proud display of majestic festivity.

Referred to as ‘Eriin Gurvan Naadam’, which translates to ‘Three Manly Sports’, it has its roots in the ancient Mongols’ nomadic culture and traditional way of life across the vast steppe. The festival features the three main activities – wrestling, horse racing, and archery, which are closely related to the history and culture of Mongolia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia B. Battsetseg held a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Ms. Catherine Colonna, who paid a visit to Mongolia at the invitation of Minister B. Battsetseg.

At the outset of the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs B. Battsetseg expressed her gratitude to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Catherine Colonna for co-organizing the Female Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Ulaanbaatar and visiting Mongolia. Then, she expressed her delight at the fact that this collaboration is enriching the Mongolia-France bilateral relations and opening a new chapter of cooperation.

The Minister also affirmed her commitment to upgrading the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries to the strategic level and further advancing the agreement on investment issues by the two Heads of State.

For her part, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Ms. Catherine Colonna expressed her pleasure at visiting Mongolia as a follow-up to the historic visit of French President E. Macron. She also highlighted the special attention that their ministry is giving to the successful organization of a state visit by President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, scheduled for this autumn, to France and further strengthening the strategic common goals of the two countries.

Moreover, the Parties exchanged in-depth views on the bilateral and international relations of the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their cooperation within the UN and other international organizations.

Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ms. Helga Maria Schmid paid a courtesy call on President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa on June 30.

During the meeting, the Parties had in-depth exchange of views on expanding the relations and cooperation in economic and environment sector between Mongolia and the OSCE, and other opportunities to implement joint programs and projects.

Ms. Helga Maria Schmid, Secretary General of the OSCE, participated in the Female Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Ulaanbaatar, which was held on June 29-30. For her side, she affirmed the OSCE’s support for the “One Billion Trees” National Campaign, initiated by the president of Mongolia and readiness to cooperate on this initiative.

Mongolia joined the OSCE on November 21 2012, becoming the Organization's 57th participating State.