Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pushed for stronger cross-border transport and trade ties during a visit to Mongolia over the weekend as Beijing sought to anchor the country’s newly formed government within its economic orbit.

“China’s policy towards Mongolia maintains stability and continuity, and has always placed the development of bilateral relations in an important position in its neighbourhood diplomacy,” Wang said during a meeting with President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on Saturday.

“China is both willing and able to be a neighbour that Mongolia can rely on, a trusted friend, and a partner to accelerate its development.”

Wang also said Beijing wanted to align the two countries’ development strategies and urged both sides to push forward existing partnerships in infrastructure, trade and energy. He also called for closer cooperation on critical minerals, green development and the digital economy.

In response, Khurelsukh said trade between the two countries was on track to hit US$20 billion this year.

He said friendship with China was a major foreign policy priority for Ulaanbaatar and pledged: “Mongolia will not do anything to harm China’s interests because of its relations with other countries.”