On February 18, 2025, Prime Minister of Mongolia Mr. Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai and Premier of the Peoples Republic of China Mr. Li Qiang held a high-level meeting in Harbin, China. Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Dorjkhand Togmid, Minister of Road and Transport Mr. Delgersaikhan Borkhuu, Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry Mr. Tuvaan Tsevegdorj, Minister of Energy Mr. Choijilsuren Battogtokh also attended the meeting.

At this meeting, the two sides signed an intergovernmental agreement to build a new cross-border railway line between Mongolia and China. This new railway will connect the Gashuun Sukhait and Gantsmod border ports, a significant milestone in regional infrastructure development.

The project’s total investment is estimated at around 979 billion tugriks (approximately USD 283 million). Construction of a railway bridge with a 30-meter height is to be built to accommodate terrain and geographical condition of the site.

As part of the Mongolian Government’s Action Plan, 14 mega projects have been planned, with the construction of key railways as a priority. The first project includes building rail connections at the Gashuun Sukhait-Gantsmod with other cross border rail connections at Khangi-Mandal, Shiveekhuren-Sekhee and Bichigt-Zuunkhatavch border ports.

Moreover, the new railway is a door opener for further cooperation and trade. It will initially have the capacity to transport 30 million tons of freight on a broad gauge and 10 million tons on a standard gauge. By 2030, Mongolia’s coal exports are projected to reach 120 million tons, contributing to sustainable economic growth, which is expected to remain above 6 percent.