Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh in Ulan Bator on June 13, as Beijing continues to deepen diplomatic and economic engagement with its northern neighbour.
Khurelsukh described the bilateral relationship as a model for interstate relations in the region, and noted that trade between the two countries is on track to reach US$20 billion this year, according to Chinese state media citing the country's Foreign Ministry. He reaffirmed Mongolia's commitment to the one-China principle, stating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and described China as a trusted neighbour.
Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Beijing has consistently prioritised ties with Mongolia within its neighbourhood diplomacy framework. He expressed readiness to expand cooperation in connectivity, energy, mineral resources, trade, green development, and the digital economy, while reaffirming China's respect for Mongolia's independence, sovereignty, and chosen development path.
The visit comes as Mongolia continues to navigate its position between two powerful neighbours — China and Russia — while pursuing what it calls a "third neighbour" policy, aimed at building ties with the United States, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and multilateral institutions. Ulaanbaatar has sought to diversify its economic and diplomatic partnerships without straining its relationship with Beijing.
China is Mongolia's largest trading partner and a leading investor in its mining sector, which accounts for a substantial portion of Mongolia's gross domestic product. The projected target would represent a major expansion in bilateral trade, driven largely by minerals and energy flows.
During his visit, Wang is also scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg. The itinerary signals Beijing's intent to engage across multiple levels of Mongolian governance.
The meeting forms part of a broader pattern of intensified Chinese diplomatic outreach across Central and East Asia. In recent months, Beijing has pursued a series of bilateral engagements aimed at reinforcing economic and political ties. China has also advanced the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor, a trilateral initiative focused on transport, energy, and infrastructure links.
Mongolia's balancing strategy has drawn international attention. While the country remains heavily dependent on China for trade and transit routes, it has expanded cooperation with Washington, Tokyo, Seoul, and Brussels in areas such as critical minerals supply chains and energy security.
Wang's visit to Mongolia follows a series of high-level diplomatic meetings involving Chinese officials across the region, reflecting Beijing's broader push to solidify its neighbourhood ties.
Sources: China Foreign Ministry, CGTN, gov.cn/SCIO
