The “Economic Cooperation Forum” is being held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, from August 25 to 31, 2025. This year’s forum is organized under the theme “A Gateway to the North, Connecting the Future”, and is jointly hosted by the People’s Government of Inner Mongolia, the Department of Commerce, the Federation of Industry and Commerce, and the Inner Mongolia branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
The forum aims to deepen cross-border cooperation and promote regional economic development.
During the forum, on August 25, the Chinese side officially introduced the “Joint Development Master Plan” for the Zamyn-Uud–Erenhot Economic Cooperation Zone between Mongolia and China.
The plan clearly outlines the development goals, industrial structure, and governance mechanisms of the cooperation zone, signaling that economic and trade cooperation between Mongolia and China has entered a new stage.
The decision to establish the Zamiin-Uud–Erenhot Economic Cooperation Zone was officially approved by the State Council of the PRC on March 19, 2024. This decision represents a major strategic step to fully implement intergovernmental agreements between the two countries, deepen international economic and trade cooperation, enhance openness in border regions, and establish a high-level cooperation zone. It also aims to transform the area into a key hub of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor under the Belt and Road Initiative, serving as a model of friendly cooperation between Mongolia and China. Additionally, for Inner Mongolia, the zone is a significant step toward becoming a key pillar of China’s national opening-up policy.
The officially released Joint Development Master Plan is based on the mutual trust and shared goals of Mongolia and China. It was developed on the foundation of bilateral cooperation, following preliminary research, multiple rounds of discussion, and repeated consultations with relevant authorities.
The plan consists of 8 chapters and 20 sections, covering a wide and comprehensive range of topics including development rationale, general requirements, infrastructure connectivity, spatial planning, industrial development, governance mechanisms, environmental protection, and implementation measures.
As the fundamental guiding document for the future development of the cooperation zone, the Joint Development Master Plan will play a crucial role in directing construction and growth in the area. It is expected to significantly deepen economic and trade cooperation between Mongolia and China and help the two countries achieve joint development.
