On November 23, Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan and Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia Sodbaatar held the 16th meeting of the China-Mongolia Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation via video. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached a broad consensus on promoting the alignment of development strategies and deepening bilateral trade relations between the two countries. The meeting was joined by representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the General Administration of Customs, the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the Export-Import Bank, the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and representatives from relevant departments of Mongolia.
Zhong Shan said that in recent years, President Xi Jinping has met and exchanged views with President Battulga and Prime Minister Khurelsukh on a number of occasions and reached a series of important consensuses, charting the course for the development of bilateral commercial relations. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Mongolia have supported each other and worked closely to fight the virus. President Battulga made a special visit to China in February to express his condolences and support. Mongolia donated 30,000 sheep to China, which has become a nice story of how good neighbors and friends help each other amidst difficult times.
Zhong Shan said that China is willing to work with Mongolia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, map out the next stage of commercial cooperation, and strive to create synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Development Road initiative. In order to support Mongolia's response to the epidemic, China's Hubei Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region intend to donate medical supplies and essential goods to the Mongolia. In order to deepen bilateral trade cooperation, China opens its market to Mongolia, and is willing to import more quality special products from Mongolia. China will promote investment and major project cooperation with Mongolia and hopes that Mongolia can provide facilitation for Chinese enterprises in Mongolia. China will strengthen cooperation in transportation and customs clearance with Mongolia and facilitate commercial cooperation at local level so as to inject strong impetus into the development of China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership.
Sodbaatar said that since the outbreak of the epidemic, Mongolia and China have supported each other, fought the epidemic together and made new progress in bilateral commercial cooperation. Mongolia is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China, and hopes to further expand the export of agricultural and animal products to China and stabilize the export of coal and other mineral products. Mongolia welcomes Chinese enterprises to increase investment cooperation in various fields in Mongolia and will promote cooperation in transportation infrastructure, agriculture and animal husbandry, inspection and quarantine, port clearance and other fields. Mongolia is willing to actively participate in the China International Import Expo and other exhibitions held in China, and jointly hold the China-Mongolia Expo in a bid to deepen bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
