中文
Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for influential leaders to share their insights on events shaping today's world.
By Tuvshin Badral
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Over the past decade, this concept has been welcomed and echoed by an increasing number of countries. Despite facing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a global economic downturn, Mongolia and China have been able to deepen cooperation and promote common development through joint efforts.
In the three years since the outbreak of COVID-19, the international community has developed a certain level of understanding and knowledge regarding the virus and has developed effective drugs and vaccines. This has contributed to the pandemic control efforts in many countries.
In response to the pandemic of the century, the Chinese government has unwaveringly adhered to the principles that aim to prevent the transmission of the virus, stabilize the economy, and ensure safe development. By striving for maximum control effects with minimal costs, the Chinese government fine-tuned the control measures at different phases of the pandemic to ensure a smooth and orderly transition in pandemic response strategies. For example, the response strategy has been optimized to be more scientific and targeted based on the realities on the ground. Currently, the overall situation of pandemic in China is getting better as the whole country has passed the peak of the recent infection wave, with production and life returning to normal at an accelerated pace.
On January 8, 2023, the Chinese government announced the lifting of quarantine requirements for inbound travelers. This measure, which is both timely and scientifically grounded, has garnered significant positive appraisal from the international community, affirming China's proactive efforts in optimizing pandemic prevention and control measures. This measure has the potential to facilitate the resumption of cross-border exchanges and business travel, accelerate regional economic and trade development, and bolster global trade growth, thereby supporting international economic recovery and development.
Throughout the past three years of China's anti-pandemic efforts, the government has remained steadfast in its commitment to prioritizing the lives and well-being of its citizens. Constantly concerned with the health of Chinese people, the Chinese government has diligently tracked the virus mutations and closely monitored the development of the pandemic to improve the effectiveness of its prevention and control measures. From my observation, since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese government has been vigilant in maintaining a delicate balance between the harmful effects of the novel coronavirus, the immunity levels of the population and the capacity of the health system, and the effectiveness of social and public health interventions, in order to maximize the protection of people's lives and health. We believe that China's pandemic response policies are well-suited to the country's unique national realities.
Mongolia and China are eternal neighbors and friendly partners connected by mountains and rivers. The cooperative relationship between the two countries has continued to develop, and in 2014, it became a comprehensive strategic partnership. Meanwhile, high-level visits between Mongolia and China have been frequent, resulting in stronger political mutual trust. People-to-people exchanges have also been on the rise. In Mongolia, there is a saying, "a needle in need is of greater use than a camel in prosperity." When China was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsuh visited China. During the visit, he announced the donation of 30,000 sheep to the Chinese people. He was the first foreign state leader to visit China since the outbreak of the pandemic. At that time, I accompanied the Mongolian president on his visit to China as the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, and participated in the meeting between the heads of state. I remember that after the Mongolian president announced the donation of sheep to China, the people of Mongolia responded warmly and donated generously, fully demonstrating the deep friendship between the peoples of Mongolia and China.
At the beginning of 2021, when Mongolia was struggling with the pandemic, the Chinese government and people extended a helping hand by donating 300,000 doses of vaccines, which was one of the first batches of vaccines provided to Mongolia at that time.
The duration of the pandemic has been longer than expected, and it has had a negative impact on the economy of all countries. Mongolia has been taking a series of measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on its economy. China and Mongolia have deep economic and trade relations. In the face of the severe pandemic situation, both countries have taken decisive measures to maintain economic growth. Through close cooperation, the two countries have maintained a positive economic and trade relationship, ensuring the normal operation of ports. In 2021, the total trade volume between the two countries reached the target of $10 billion.
In recent years, regardless of the pandemic, high-level visits between the two countries have been frequent. I believe that the relationship between China and Mongolia has become a model for neighboring countries. I firmly believe that China's optimized epidemic response policies will inject strong momentum into promoting international personnel exchanges, reviving economic and trade exchanges, and ensuring the smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains.
This can further promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between Mongolia and China, ensure the implementation of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and provide strong impetus for achieving the goal of increasing bilateral trade to $20 billion and resuming personnel exchanges.
The Mongolian government has declared 2023, 2024 and 2025 as "Years to Visit Mongolia" to promote its tourism industry and economic development. Mongolia welcomes tourists from all over the world to visit its natural scenic spots by opening its doors and providing conveniences. As China shares its longest land border with Mongolia, the two countries have 17 border crossings. The number of direct flights between the two countries has been increasing. Chinese tourists can choose the nearest and most convenient land ports or airports to enter Mongolia for sightseeing.
With China's optimization of multiple epidemic response measures, the economic and trade relations between Mongolia and China will be further strengthened, thereby promoting the early recovery and development of the world economy.
Tuvshin Badral is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the People's Republic of China.
