Editor's note: Rabi Sankar Bosu is an Indian contributor to Chinese media outlets. He writes about Chinese politics, social and cultural issues, and China-India relations with a special interest in the Belt and Road Initiative. The article reflects the author's views, and not necessarily those of CGTN.

During his state visit to Mongolia in August 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his speech entitled, "Help Each Other in Crisis and Jointly Create a New Era for the Development of the China-Mongolia Relations," which was delivered at the State Great Hural, the country's parliament. He hailed the China-Mongolia friendship by saying "A good neighbor is more valuable than gold. China has the most neighbors in the world and we regard our neighbors as valuable wealth."

The treaty of friendship and mutual assistance between China and Mongolia on economic assistance and scientific and technological cooperation was signed when late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited Mongolia in the spring of 1960. The current generation of leadership has nurtured the strong bonds.

During his meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar on August 7, 2022, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene said his country regards China as a good neighbor "that is more valuable than gold." Oyun-Erdene attended the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games despite the U.S.-instigated boycott campaign. Accordingly, Mongolia has boosted its bilateral ties with China.

President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh's two-day visit to China on November 27-28 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping will advance bilateral relations in the new era. It will be Khurelsukh's first state visit as Mongolian President after the recent-concluded 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Mongolia attaches much significance to China's global influence and to build stronger relations with China.

During his meeting with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand of Uzbekistan on September 15, 2022, the Mongolian President said, "The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries is a model relationship as their traditional friendship has been going strong."

The friendship demonstrates Mongolia's unwavering support for China's Belt and Road Initiative. Mongolia is a partner in the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor that is expanding bilateral trade and improving people's livelihood. China also supports Mongolia's "Planting One Billion Trees" plan by 2030 to combat climate change and desertification.

Khurelsukh's visit will usher in closer political and economic ties with China. This will be a pragmatic political acumen of the ruling Mongolian government since Chinese investment has boosted Mongolia's socio-economic development already.

China has been Mongolia's largest source of investment and trading partner for 18 consecutive years. As of August 2022, Mongolia's total trade turnover with China hit $8.5 billion, an increase of 25.4 percent compared to the same period last year while exports reached $6.59 billion and imports reached $1.91 billion, according to the press release by Mongolian foreign ministry.

Moreover, the BRI and Mongolia's Steppe Road program are the right path for developing China-Mongolia relations by promoting the docking of bilateral development strategies. Both sides should take this visit as an opportunity to enhance their strategic mutual trust, advance pragmatic cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, as well as fortify security and defense and elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

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