On February 14, 2025, L.Oyun-Erdene, Prime Minister of Mongolia, and Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang held a meeting.
During the meeting, the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China signed and ratified an agreement to connect the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port cross-border railway, the top priority among Mongolia’s 14 mega development projects.
Discussions on this project began in 2004. Over the past 17 years, the project went through more than 60 rounds of talks, three recommendations from the National Security Council, six parliament resolutions, and 45 government resolutions before reaching an agreement today.
The Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod railway is the second railway link between Mongolia and China, following the Zamiin-Uud–Erlian railway, which was established under a 1955 agreement.
Once operational, the new railway is expected to double Mongolia’s port capacity. Coal exports will increase from 83 million tons to 165 million tons annually, boosting coal sales revenue by $1.5 billion per year.
The project will significantly contribute to the National Wealth Fund’s Accumulation Fund, laying the foundation for long-discussed tax reforms.
Additionally, the agreement opens the door for future railway connections at the Shiveekhuren-Sekhee, Bichigt-Zuun Khatavch, and Khangi-Mandal border ports, further enhancing Mongolia-China connectivity.
If the agreement had been finalized in 2004, it is estimated that Mongolia could have generated an additional $31.5 billion in revenue, avoiding long-standing disputes related to Tavan Tolgoi and addressing the country’s infrastructure needs much earlier.
On February 14, 2025, L.Oyun-Erdene, Prime Minister of Mongolia, and Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang held a meeting.
During the meeting, the Government of Mongolia and the Government of the People's Republic of China signed and ratified an agreement to connect the Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod port cross-border railway, the top priority among Mongolia’s 14 mega development projects.
Discussions on this project began in 2004. Over the past 17 years, the project went through more than 60 rounds of talks, three recommendations from the National Security Council, six parliament resolutions, and 45 government resolutions before reaching an agreement today.
The Gashuunsukhait-Gantsmod railway is the second railway link between Mongolia and China, following the Zamiin-Uud–Erlian railway, which was established under a 1955 agreement.
Once operational, the new railway is expected to double Mongolia’s port capacity. Coal exports will increase from 83 million tons to 165 million tons annually, boosting coal sales revenue by $1.5 billion per year.
The project will significantly contribute to the National Wealth Fund’s Accumulation Fund, laying the foundation for long-discussed tax reforms.
Additionally, the agreement opens the door for future railway connections at the Shiveekhuren-Sekhee, Bichigt-Zuun Khatavch, and Khangi-Mandal border ports, further enhancing Mongolia-China connectivity.
If the agreement had been finalized in 2004, it is estimated that Mongolia could have generated an additional $31.5 billion in revenue, avoiding long-standing disputes related to Tavan Tolgoi and addressing the country’s infrastructure needs much earlier.