Editor's note: Li Chao, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate research fellow at the Belt and Road Research Institute of Inner Mongolia Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

At present, China-Mongolia relations are at their best in history, with cooperation across various fields continuing to yield new results. Despite occasional discordant voices in recent years, the overall trajectory of steady and positive development between the two countries will not change.

A key driver of this momentum lies in the deepening alignment of development strategies between China and Mongolia. In 2022, the two countries issued the Joint Statement on Advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the New Era Between the People's Republic of China and Mongolia. The statement identifies the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Mongolia's "Prairie Road" development strategy, of the Global Development Initiative with Mongolia's New Revival Policy, and of China's development strategy with Mongolia's Vision 2050 plan as the three engines for advancing and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.

At the same time, connectivity and energy cooperation are identified as priority areas, with both sides working to generate new outcomes under these frameworks.

Mongolia has been actively promoting railway construction and the opening of rail ports, while planning to develop more inland logistics hubs to boost external trade. The goal is to transform the country from a "landlocked" to a "land-linked" economy. In May 2025, construction officially began on the Ganqmod-Gashuun Sukhait railway, a major energy corridor between China and Mongolia. This project is expected to lay the foundation for further railway connections between other ports. Once completed, the railway is projected to transport around 30 million tons of goods annually, significantly enhancing connectivity and enabling more efficient movement of mineral and energy resources.

Equally important is the vast potential for cooperation in green development. Mongolia's resource endowment and China's market and technological strengths are highly complementary. Expanding cooperation across sectors and deepening mutually beneficial ties represent the natural trajectory of bilateral relations. Beyond traditional areas, green development is emerging as a new growth driver.

Mongolia's traditional production model has placed considerable pressure on its ecological environment, making sustainable development a strategic priority. As a country rich in mineral and renewable energy resources, Mongolia faces the pressing task of advancing green mining, environmental governance, and clean energy utilization. This creates opportunities for China to leverage its technological advantages to deepen cooperation and for both countries to jointly pursue their carbon reduction goals.

In April 2020, Mongolia became the first demonstration country of the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition.The initiative aims to promote consensus, cooperation, and coordinated action on green development, while supporting participating countries in achieving the environmental and development targets of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Notably, Mongolia's rare earth resources are drawing increasing global attention. As Mongolia seeks to enhance economic resilience and diversify its mineral exports – particularly toward higher value-added products – its efforts to develop rare earth resources present new opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation in green development.

Another pillar of bilateral cooperation is the steady progress in building cross-border economic zones. Economic and trade ties between the two countries are highly close. In 2024, bilateral trade reached $18.26 billion – three times the level in 2013 – approaching the $20 billion target set by the two heads of state. China currently contributes around 60% to Mongolia's economic growth, with bilateral trade accounting for about 70% of Mongolia's total foreign trade, including around 90 percent of its exports.

In March 2024, China's State Council approved the establishment of the China-Mongolia Erenhot-Zamyn-Uud economic cooperation zone, marking the third cross-border economic cooperation zone jointly built by China with a neighboring country. The zone enjoys significant geographical advantages: backed by Inner Mongolia's access to multiple domestic regions, Erenhot hosts the largest land port between China and Mongolia. Supported by preferential policies to attract resources and industrial factors, the development of the zone carries demonstration significance for China's northward opening-up, the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

The joint development of such economic cooperation zones reflects the long-standing intention of both countries to deepen industrial collaboration and promote border region development. The spillover effects of these platforms will also directly support Mongolia’s goal of revitalizing its border ports.

In conclusion, Mongolia is an important partner in the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with China.The two countries are advancing strategic alignment, and intergovernmental projects continue to deliver tangible results. Looking ahead, maintaining long-term friendly relations with China and pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation remain a priority in Mongolia's foreign policy. Based on shared interests and common goals, China and Mongolia will continue to promote the steady development of their comprehensive strategic partnership, unlock further cooperation potential, and create new areas of convergence and growth.

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