Under the auspices of the governments of Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China, the Ulaanbaatar city of Mongolia, the Dornogovi province of Mongolia, the Republic of Buryatia in Russia and the Government of Irkutsk in Russia, the “China-Mongolia-Russia Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference in Erenhot, China” opened on August 20 and attracted more than 400 exhibitors.

During the conference, the attendees will have in-depth exchanges of views and heated discussions on strengthening the cooperation and development of special economic zones along the China-Mongolia-Russia continental bridge, jointly creating an effective platform for clusters and industrial cooperation; and jointly participating in the construction of the north line of the Silk Road economic belt to unblock a large channel for China-Mongolia-Russia economic and trade cooperation.

Inner Mongolia occupies an important position in the China-Mongolia-Russia cooperation. At present, the ports of Inner Mongolia amount to 16, undertaking more than 90 percent of the freight volumes between China and Mongolia and more than 60 percent of the rail freight volumes between China and Russia. The trade amounts between Inner Mongolia and Mongolia and Russia have accounted for more than 50 percent of the region’s total amounts of foreign trades. Inner Mongolia has built up friendly relationships with 31 cities, of which, more than half are in Mongolia and Russia, said by Chang Junzheng, vice president of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, at the conference’s opening speech.

The Director of the National Bureau of Ports of Mongolia stated in his speech that this gathering was themed with “openness and mutual trust, innovation and development and win-win cooperation” and would play a significant leading role in the three countries’ cross-border economic development; and that he hoped that the capacities of the goods in circulation through the customs ports between China and Mongolia could be strengthened and the problems lying in customs clearance facilitation could be solved. He revealed that at this Conference, a total of more than 200 enterprises and 300 enterprise representatives from Mongolia were attending the exhibition.

The Chairman of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Buryatia in Russia who was present at the event indicated that this conference provided an opportunity to expand trade and investment, develop economic and trade cooperation and sign strategic partnership contracts and agreements.

In addition to the main customers from Mongolia and Russia, this gathering also attracted jade dealers and jewelers from South Korea, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam and Hong Kong, China.

Erenhot is one of China’s three northern land border ports and also the only railway port on the border between China and Mongolia. In June, the State Council officially approved the establishment of Erenhot as a key trial plot for development and opening up. The China-Mongolia-Russia Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference in Erenhot, China has been held consecutively for five years.