Xi Jinping Meets Mongolian President Khürelsükh on Sidelines of SCO Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh on the afternoon of August 31, 2026, in Bishkek during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. The two heads of state affirmed the importance of bilateral ties in their respective foreign policy agendas, agreeing to consolidate strategic mutual trust and advance traditional partnerships in trade, connectivity, and energy. They also agreed to explore emerging growth drivers, including green minerals, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy, while Khürelsükh reiterated Mongolia's adherence to the One China principle.

The high-level meeting strengthens political trust and supply-chain stability between China and its resource-rich northern neighbor. Expanding bilateral trade toward green minerals, AI, and digital infrastructure demonstrates an effort to modernize economic engagement beyond conventional coal and mineral exports, while enhancing regional connectivity and border stability.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh in Bishkek on the sidelines of the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, state media reported on August 31. During the meeting, Xi highlighted that China and Mongolia are linked by geography and that peaceful coexistence, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation have consistently characterized their bilateral ties. Xi noted that China will continue to prioritize China-Mongolia relations within its neighborhood diplomacy, working with Ulaanbaatar to strengthen strategic trust, deepen mutual benefit, and advance the construction of a China-Mongolia community with a shared future. Xi stressed that both nations must consolidate the political foundation of their relationship by respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as their respective core interests and major concerns. He called for aligning development strategies and advancing traditional cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, and minerals. Xi also pointed to the potential for collaboration in emerging sectors, including green minerals, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy, while expressing hope that Mongolia will effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises operating in the country. According to state media reports, Khürelsükh stated that deepening friendly cooperation with China remains the primary direction of Mongolia's foreign policy. He affirmed that Mongolia seeks to further consolidate political trust and expand collaboration across trade, investment, industry, agriculture, mining, and the green economy. Khürelsükh also reiterated Mongolia's firm adherence to the One China principle, stating that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and that matters relating to Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong are China's internal affairs. He added that Mongolia is willing to work with China to implement global initiatives promoting international peace, security, and sustainable development.