Shen Minjuan: China-Mongolia collaboration is an ongoing journey with no endpoint

Shen Minjuan is a professional diplomat of the People’s Republic of China who has served in the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia and Indonesia. She was in charge of Southeast Asia affairs as the Deputy Director General of the Asia Department of the China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before appointed as the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Mongolia in September 2023. She is the first woman to hold the position of Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia. Ambassador Shen Minjuan’s interview with Sumiya Chuluunbaatar, an economist and expert on international issues, a non-resident fellow at the Institute of International Studies, Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

-This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and China. What work has China done and what activities have been held? The two countries have lived adjacent to each other since ancient times. We Mongolians have held many activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with our southern neighbor. What impression did them leave on you?

-This year holds great significance for China-Mongolia relations, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation, and the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership. On October 16, the exact anniversary of their diplomatic ties, President Xi Jinping and President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, along with Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, exchanged congratulatory messages. Vice President Han Zheng visited Mongolia in September and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene visited China in November. All those underscore the importance that both countries place on the bilateral relations.

To commemorate the milestones, the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia organized a series of celebratory events throughout the year. Festivities kicked off with the “Happy Spring Festival”, where Mongolian skiers staged a dazzling dragon dance on snow. In May, the seminar “Reflecting on the Origins of Diplomatic Ties: China and Mongolia Pressing Ahead Together” brought together Mongolian political, academic, and media representatives to discuss historical lessons and explore future cooperation. September featured the vibrant “China-Mongolia Friendship Week”, with activities ranging from photo exhibitions and tree-planting ceremonies to academic discussions and screenings of desertification control films. Among the highlights was a visit by the Xizang（Tibetan） delegation, showcasing Xizang（Tibetan）’s achievements and the traditional Xizang（Tibetan）medicine that shares deep connections with Mongolia. In October, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an online exhibition of archival documents throughout the 75 years of bilateral ties, highlighting the significant progress in the relationship. The Embassy also released a special edition of newspaper, photo album, and pin to mark the occasion. In November, a series of “Feel China” events further deepened mutual understanding.

The two side held receptions commemorating the 75th anniversary both in Ulaanbaatar and Beijing, with Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene attending both. In his speeches, he hailed China-Mongolia relations as exemplary for neighboring countries and echoed President Xi Jinping’s remarks from his 2014 visit to wish for the comprehensive strategic partnership to gallop forward with great momentum and “succeed as soon as the horse arrives”. I believe his remarks have encouraged people dedicated to fostering friendship between the two nations.

-Mongolia and China have established the comprehensive strategic partnership for 10 years. How do you evaluate the relationship between the two countries and what should be the focus in the future?

-Mongolia is one of the priorities in China’s diplomacy with neighboring countries featuring the principle of sincerity, amity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. It is also a significant partner in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Over the past decade, China and Mongolia have set a clear direction toward building the community with a shared future, achieving remarkable progress in political mutual trust and practical cooperation, economic integration. Data from the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry show that every 1% increase in China’s GDP spurs a 0.6% rise in Mongolia’s economy. Bilateral trade has grown impressively, from 6 billion USD in 2013 to nearly 17 billion USD in 2023. From January to October this year, trade volumes reached 15.2 billion USD, marking a 14.8% increase year-on-year and leaving a small leap toward the $20 billion goal set by the two countries’ leaders.

China-Mongolia collaboration is an ongoing journey with no endpoint. Moving forward, I see three key priorities—”three zhì.”

The first is governance (as zhì lǐ 治理 in Chinese). Mongolian friends hold President Xi Jinping’s book, Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, in high regard and resonate with his global vision, including the community with a shared future for mankind, the BRI, and his three global initiatives. Recently, after a five-year gap, we successfully launched the Cyrillic Mongolian version of Volume II of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and Selection of Xi Jinping’s Essays on Poverty Alleviation. We hope the books will deepen exchanges on governance, better align our approaches and jointly contribute to peace and progress in our region and beyond.

The second is quality (as zhì liàng 质量 in Chinese). As a country with rich natural resources, Mongolia is carrying out energy reforms and developing its green energy sector. Additionally, its vast mineral resources are the cornerstone of its development agenda, with nearly half of the proposed 14 key projects focusing on mineral deep processing. China’s expertise and technological advancements in these fields make it an ideal partner for Mongolia to seek cooperation in renewable energy and mineral deep processing and help Mongolia achieve high-quality, sustainable development.

The third is human resources (as zhì lì 智力 in Chinese). As developing countries, both China and Mongolia prioritize science, technology, and education as key drivers of progress. President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh’s “President’s Scholar—2100” Scholarship Program aligns well with China’s strategy for invigorating China through science, education and high skilled professionals. China has the capability and readiness to assist Mongolia in training skilled professionals through vocational training programs tailored to the urgent needs of Mongolia’s development and bilateral cooperation.

-I believe China has celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with great enthusiasm. What have been the gains and losses over the past 75 years?

-Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the People’s Republic of China has transformed over the past 75 years from a struggling, impoverished country into the world’s second-largest economy, achieving unprecedented progress in national strength and global influence. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China’s socialist system has entered a new era. The nation has eradicated extreme poverty, built a moderately prosperous society, and begun paving the way toward prosperity for all. Innovation continues to drive China’s high-quality growth, with electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products emerging as new signatures of “Made in China.” Significant strides have also been made in green development and ecological progress, with China now leading globally in afforestation and clean energy supply. Through initiatives such as building a community with a shared future for mankind, the BRI, and the three global initiatives, China has shared its vision and solutions for improving global governance and addressing the challenges of an evolving world.

As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, the road ahead will not always be smooth, difficulties and obstacles are inevitable, and we will stand the tests of high winds, choppy waters and even treacherous storms. As the world undergoes rapid changes unseen in a century marked by rising unilateralism and protectionism, China has entered a pivotal phase of building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. Even with the challenges ahead, China remains unwavering in its commitment to deepening reform. In July, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee introduced over 300 key reform measures, sending a clear message: China is dedicated to building a high-standard socialist market economy, advancing high-quality economic development, promoting high-standard opening up. The next “China” is still China.

As President Xi noted, “A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to a garden” and “If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too.” As China forges ahead, it will continue to create new opportunities for the world, particularly for developing countries including Mongolia. By empowering industrialization and addressing livelihood challenges of developing countries, we will work together toward sustainable development and a brighter future.

-Relying on China’s grant and preferential loans, Mongolia has seen many new infrastructure projects. The capital city is constantly changing, with roads, bridges, and skyscrapers rising from the ground. What is your impression of the construction projects carried out through cooperation between the two countries?

-The early stories go back to the 1950s and 1960s when China sent nearly 30,000 workers for Mongolia. They built the landmarks like the Peace Bridge, the State Department Store, and the Central Stadium. Until today, they remain part of the daily life for residents in Ulaanbaatar.

In July this year, for the first time I went to the Central Stadium to attend the Naadam opening ceremony. I couldn’t imagine that the Stadium, which accommodates 15,000 people, was built 66 years ago. I felt very familiar when I walked into the State Department Store in Ulaanbaatar because it was built according to the same blueprint of the Wangfujing Department Store in Beijing.

China-Mongolia Belt and Road Cooperation has yield remarkable results in recent years. With China’s assistance, Mongolia is benefited from the first interchange, the first expressway, the first modern Rehabilitation and Development Center for Children with Disabilities. The projects to build Mongolia’s most advanced wastewater treatment plant and the largest-scale ger district renovation are about to be completed.

We notice Mongolia’s new government has launched the regional development policy and the “20-minute city” policy to improve the transport system and conditions in the ger district, endeavoring to provide residents a better living environment by reducing traffic jams and air pollution. We are ready to continue working with Mongolia to jointly promote high-quality “Belt and Road” cooperation, support Mongolia’s infrastructure development and Ulaanbaatar’s urban construction, and bring a more prosperous, greener and better life for the people.

-Mongolia hopes to receive more tourists, especially those from the neighboring country in the south, to visit Mongolia. Mongolia has historical and cultural sites, as well as unparalleled natural scenery. What policies does China adhere to when developing tourism cooperation between the two countries?

-Tourism serves as a vital bridge for enhancing mutual understanding and cultural exchange between nations. China’s door remains open to tourists from all countries including those from Mongolia. For a long time, Mongolian citizens have enjoyed 30-day visa-free entry to China. This year, China has expanded its visa-free policy, extending the duration of stays and adding more countries to its list. Currently, China offers 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 38 countries and 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit for travelers from 54 countries. In the third quarter alone, 8.186 million foreign nationals entered China, marking a 48.8% increase compared to last year, with 4.885 million entering through visa-free policies—a significant rise of 78.6%.

As the world’s largest source of international tourists, China’s outbound travelers contribute substantially to tourism spending in destination countries, helping to stimulate local economic growth. With rich tourism resources, Mongolia has rolled out initiatives like “Years to Visit Mongolia” and “Go MonGolia” to attract more foreign visitors, including from China, a large and neighboring source of tourists. China has also encouraged its citizens to travel to Mongolia. This year, the two sides resumed international passenger train, reopened border crossings for passenger vehicles under 8 seats, reopened one-day cross-border trips, increased flight routes and chartered flights, and introduced measures to make payment easier.

Despite these efforts, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Mongolia remains relatively low compared to other neighboring countries, partially because of the lack of visa-free and visa on arrival policies for Chinese citizens. We look forward to a facilitating visa policy by Mongolia for Chinese visitors, which will enable them to enjoy trips as soon as they want so they can experience the stunning landscapes and unique nomadic culture that Mongolia has to offer.

-In recent years, many Chinese TV dramas have been staged in Mongolia, allowing Mongolian audiences to understand the history, culture, and local custom of the neighboring country in the south. How do you view the cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries? What are the plans of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia?

-It’s such a pleasure that the Mongolian audience enjoy Chinese TV series, a proof that our peoples are bonded by similar tastes. Our culture exchanges were already very active during the early years of our ties, and now surely more impressive. Only in the past three months, the Liaoning Ballet performed here, writer Liu Zhenyun came with the Mongolian version of his masterpiece “One Day, Three Autumns”, and the drama adapted from Yu Hua’s novel “To Live” was staged. Learning Chinese has become a trend in Mongolia. At present, over 50 schools in Mongolia teach Chinese, and 150 more are planning to do so. Over 60 Chinese TV series, cartoons, documentaries and movies with more than 2,000 episodes have been dubbed and broadcast in Mongolia. We have also launched a project to translate each other’s classic literature. Next year, the Chinese Cultural Center in Ulaanbaatar will celebrating its 15th anniversary. The Center has become a important window for Mongolian friends to understand China and for a platform for our countries’ cultural and art community to exchange and cooperate.

To embrace Mongolia’s “Year to Support the Youth” in 2025, we are planning on mutual visits between one hundred youth people from China and Mongolia. I have high expectations for the youth to become a driving force of our cultural exchanges and bring more creativity and passion for the new era. Our Embassy is making next year’s cultural exchange plan. We warmly welcome Mongolia friends, especially the young generation to engage, offer insights and enjoy together.

-Can you introduce Prime Minister Oyun Erdene’s visit to the Shanghai International Import Expo?

-The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is the world’s only exposition centered on imports. It reflects China’s determination to expand high-level opening-up and the sincerity in seeking common development with other countries. Now in its seventh consecutive year since 2018, the CIIE has generated intended transactions worthing ＄500 billion in total, including this year’s ＄80.01 billion, an increase of 2% year-on-year. It also attracted 3496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions, including 297 leading companies on Fortune Global 500 list, a scale larger than ever.

Mongolia, an old friend of the CIIE, for the first time participated at the Prime Minister level this year. It was also the first visit of Mongolian high-levels since the establishment of the coalition government, and the first time that Mongolian National Mining Association joined in, apart from the traditional wool, cashmere and food industry. Moreover, taking advantage of the platform, we successfully held the Investment Promotion Conference of China-Mongolia Erenhot-Zamyn-Uud Economic Cooperation Zone.

During his visit, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene met with Premier Li Qiang and engaged with the Party Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial and the Mayor of Shanghai. He also explored the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall to learn about the city’s innovative 15-minute community life circle. In Hangzhou, his delegation toured China’s longest urban tunnel, the Zizhi Tunnel, and the stunning new Pengbu Bridge over the Qiantang River. They also visited tech giants Huawei, Alibaba, and Envision Group, gaining insights that could serve as valuable references for Mongolia’s development, especially in Ulaanbaatar.

When promoting Mongolia to the world at the opening of the CIIE, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene quoted the Mongolian proverb, “ZA” is “the oath of Mongolians,” pledging to enhance Mongolia’s investment environment and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. He outlined Mongolia’s vision for transformation in three key areas: artificial intelligence, green development, and human resources, and expressed hopes for China to leverage its strengths to support Mongolia in these endeavors.

I believe the CIIE not only presented Mongolia with an image of an open and confident China but also sketched a blueprint for deeper bilateral collaboration. We look forward to working with Mongolia to make the pie of opening up bigger, extend the list of cooperation, and identify new areas of mutual growth to bring greater prosperity to the people of both countries.

-Since the beginning of this year, China’s diplomacy has been very active. What are some exciting moments that have left a deep impression on you? What are the key tasks for the next stage?

-This year, guided by the head-of-state diplomacy, China’s diplomacy has gone through a remarkable journey from home to abroad, leading a “China trend” in international relations. One of the most impressive event for me was the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The concept is interconnected with the community of a shared future for mankind, by China’s commitment to world peace and development and the pursuit of a just and reasonable international order. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September provided a direction and methods for the China-Africa cooperation and the whole Global South to promote modernization together. President Xi Jinping also attended a series of this year’s multilateral summits, including the SCO, BRICS, APEC and G20. He clearly sent out the message to safeguard multilateralism, creating a shining “South Moment” in global governance and enriching the practice to build a community of share future for mankind.

Next year, China will continue its major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics featuring peace, development, cooperation and win-win results. It is noteworthy that China has assumed the rotating presidency of the SCO for 2024-2025, and will host the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in China. With the theme of the SCO Year of Sustainable Development and the slogan of Carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit: SCO in Action, we’ll focus on new development drivers and initiate a series of cooperation and actions in pivotal areas such as poverty relief, food security, public health, fund-raising for development, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity, working towards a closer SCO community with a shared future. We cordially welcome Mongolia to make greater contributions.