Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Mongolia

World Today

Chinese President Xi Jinping travels to Mongolia this week. The two-day visit is aimed at strengthening ties with China’s neighbor, and it is Xi’s second solo trip abroad since taking office. CCTV America’s Roee Ruttenberg reports.

It has been a little more than a decade since a Chinese president visited Mongolia. During that time, Beijing has become Ulaanbaatar’s most important trading partner.

Last year alone, China invested $6 billion into Mongolia that was roughly half the latter’s foreign trade. The money has gone to everything from railways to new constructions, and from the exploration of oil to the extraction of minerals.

It has been 65 years since China and Mongolia established diplomatic ties. Two decades ago, the pair amended a “Friendship and Cooperation Treaty” that has served as the foundation for their relations.

Ahead of his expected guest’s arrival, Mongolia’s President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj said that he hoped the visit would not just deepen trade, but also mutual trust and security cooperation.

Sources say that during his visit, President Xi will invite Mongolia to join the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization). The Beijing-led organization deals with these exact issues. The SCO already includes four central Asian nations and Russia.

In two weeks, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will visit Mongolia, and just a week after that the SCO heads of state will meet in Tajikistan for their annual summit. Many are already asking if, after this visit, there’ll be a new member at the table.

Follow Phillip Yin on Twitter @PhillipTKYin

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Mongolia

Chinese President Xi Jinping travels to Mongolia this week. The two-day visit is aimed at strengthening ties with China's neighbor, and it is Xi's second solo trip abroad since taking office. CCTV America's Roee Ruttenberg reports.