China-Mongolia Cooperation: Trade volume reached $12.2 billion in 2022 www.news.cgtn.com
Trade between China and Mongolia has spiked in recent years, with last year's figures reaching 12 billion US dollars, almost double the amount three years ago. The Belt and Road Initiative includes plans for more than 30 projects in Mongolia, ranging from infrastructure and energy to joint efforts to combat desertification. CGTN's Sarangua Tumur has more from Ulaanbaatar.
SARANGUA TUMUR Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia "China has been Mongolia's largest trading partner and its main foreign investor over the past decade. In 2022, trade volume between China and Mongolia reached 12.2 billion US dollars, almost double that of 2020."
BAYARKHUU DASHDORJ Former Ambassador of Mongolia "Last year, the heads of state of both countries agreed on the goal of increasing the trade volume to 20 billion US dollars in the near future. The construction of border ports and railway connections on both sides is crucial to accelerate the economic ties between China and Mongolia."
SARANGUA TUMUR Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia "The Mongolian government has formulated a development policy for Mongolia, known as the Development Road, which aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative. Both sides aim to expand and deepen cooperation in areas such as the economy, energy, infrastructure, climate response, green development, and desertification treatment. China has commended Mongolia's 'Billion Trees' initiative and expressed its willingness to discuss the establishment of a cooperation center to combat desertification."
SUMIYA CHULUUNBAATAR Secretary of Mongolia-China Friendship Association "Mongolia is set to host the 17th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in 2026. China also has significant experience in managing sandstorms, afforestation and desertification. Given that both countries are affected by climate change and desertification, and share similar terrains and climate, it's crucial to actively promote environmental cooperation between them in the near future."
SARANGUA TUMUR Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia "Over the past 10 years, China has granted $1.5 billion of soft loans to the Mongolian government. Most recently, a series of projects were implemented with non-payable Chinese aid and soft loans under the BRI, including Mongolia's first expressway and the first development center for disabled children. However, the two sides are also expected to cooperate on more ambitious projects in the near future."
Sarangua Tumur, CGTN, Ulaanbaatar.
Published Date:2023-05-03