Chinese Premier encourages Mongolia to consider joining regional security group with Russia, Iran.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed China’s intention to enhance cooperation with Mongolia within the framework of the Eurasian security bloc, which recently admitted Iran as its ninth member. This move subtly encouraged Mongolia to consider joining this regional group, which also includes Russia.
Mongolia has maintained its observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for nearly two decades, while countries like India, Pakistan, and Iran have become full-fledged members. China, however, is willing to strengthen collaboration with Mongolia within the SCO and other multilateral platforms to better protect their mutual interests. Li conveyed this message during a meeting with Mongolian Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene at an SCO gathering in Bishkek.
In response, Oyun-Erdene expressed Mongolia’s readiness to cooperate with China and build mutual trust. He also discussed plans to establish the Mongolia-China-Russia economic corridor, without explicitly mentioning their intentions regarding SCO membership. Oyun-Erdene, in a speech at the SCO meeting, emphasized Mongolia’s commitment to pursuing an independent foreign policy and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with SCO member countries.
Mongolia has traditionally focused on developing bilateral relationships with neighboring nations and other Asian countries. It has also engaged in economic and security agreements with China and Russia, while maintaining a “third neighbor” diplomacy, establishing strategic partnerships with countries like the United States, Japan, and South Korea. This approach demonstrates Mongolia’s political independence and its determination to avoid participation in regional security alliances.
While not a military alliance, the SCO has expanded cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism and aims to extend its global influence by admitting new members. It provides an alternative within the Eurasian region to Western blocs like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
