Xi's visit to unveil new roadmap for China-Mongolia ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Mongolia on Aug. 21-22, the first time that a Chinese head of state has visited Mongolia in 11 years, and also Xi's second solo overseas trip since he took office in March 2013.

Xi's visit will further promote the all-round cooperation between China and Mongolia, further optimize China's surrounding environment, and actively practice the "closeness, sincerity, sharing in prosperity, and inclusiveness" of China's neighborhood diplomacy.

Xi visited South Korea on July 3-4.

UPGRADING SINO-MONGOLIAN RELATIONS

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Mongolia diplomatic relationship, and the 20th anniversary of the amendment to the China-Mongolia Friendship and Cooperation Treaty. At this historic moment, it is important for Chinese and Mongolian leaders to decide how to draw up a new roadmap for Sino-Mongolian relations.

During the two-day visit, President Xi will hold talks with his Mongolian counterpart Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj to determine the development direction as well as major tasks and basic ideas of their bilateral relations, which are expected to be elevated to a higher level.

Enhancing mutual trust and addressing each other's core interests and major concerns are a prerequisite for further developing political relations between the two neighbors. Experts believe that the two leaders will take a clear-cut stance on this issue.

"China will reaffirm its respect for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and development path of Mongolia, as well as support Mongolia's nuclear-free status. Meanwhile, Mongolia will continue to support China's position on Tibet, Xinjiang and Taiwan," said Huang Jiakui, director of China's Mongolia Research Council.

Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Wang Xiaolong told Xinhua that the further development of Sino-Mongolian relations is blessed with opportune timing, favorable conditions and popular support.

"The leaders, social media, intellectual elites and the general public of Mongolia have placed great hopes on President Xi's visit, considering it an important opportunity to overcome economic difficulties and to achieve long-term development," he said.

PROMOTING PRAGMATIC COOPERATION

Economic and trade cooperation is undoubtedly the cornerstone in China-Mongolia relations. During the visit, President Xi will work together with Mongolian leaders to explore effective ways to expand and deepen bilateral economic and trade relations.

Experts believe that the leaders of both countries are expected to follow the principle of "three-in-one and coordinated promotion" in the development of mineral resources, infrastructure construction and financial cooperation, to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation to a higher level.

"China and Mongolia may focus on some important issues such as increasing bilateral trade volume, improving the structure of foreign trade and investment, promoting industrial upgrading, developing interconnection of railways, highways and electricity, as well as supporting cooperation in key areas and large-scale projects," Huang said.