President Xi departs on landmark Mongolian trip

President Xi Jinping departs Beijing for a two-day state visit to Mongolia on Thursday morning.  [Special coverage]

This will be China's first presidential visit to Mongolia in 11 years and Xi's second one-stop overseas trip since he took office in March 2013.

Officials from both sides said that the two countries are expected to ink a series of agreements covering energy, trade, and cultural and political sectors.

Mongolia, landlocked by China and Russia, is the country that shares the longest land border with China.

During his two-day stay, Xi will meet his Mongolian counterpart, President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, issue a political document, and witness the signing of more than 20 cooperative agreements covering politics, economics and finance.

Xi will hold talks with other Mongolian leaders and deliver a speech at the State Great Hural, Mongolia's parliament.

Mongolia's presidential couple is expected to host a private dinner for Xi and first lady Peng Liyuan on Friday in addition to a state dinner on Thursday.

Gao Shumao, China's former ambassador to Mongolia, describes this as an unusual arrangement.