China and Mongolia Launch Joint Army Exercise
China and Mongolia launched the “Steppe Partner 2026” joint army training exercise on May 30 at a training base in Inner Mongolia, China, with more than 600 officers and soldiers attending the opening ceremony.
The exercise, the second in the Steppe Partner series, focuses on joint strikes against illegal armed groups and is intended to deepen military cooperation, mutual trust, and coordination in addressing regional security risks.
The two sides will establish a joint command post and conduct training on joint command and coordinated strike operations in simulated combat scenarios. China’s participating troops are mainly drawn from armored units under a brigade of the People’s Liberation Army’s 79th Group Army.
Photo credit: Sun Jiaqian/Xinhua
For small states, protocol is not a formality. It is a safeguard for foreign policy autonomy, institutional discipline, and the state’s decision-making space. Our new article looks at visa policy, SCO membership, and high-level diplomacy in Mongolia-China relations.
🔗 Read: https://t.co/ByWTpalfuo
Mongolia and China to Hold "Steppe Partner 2026" Military Drills
Mongolia and China will hold the “Steppe Partner 2026” joint military exercise in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from late May to early June, according to Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Bin.
The drills will focus on joint operations against illegal armed formations, continuing a bilateral defense cooperation format first held in Dornogovi province in 2024. Jiang said the exercise is intended to deepen friendship and mutual trust while strengthening practical cooperation on regional peace and stability.
Photo credit: Ministry of National Defense of PRC
UK Appoints New Ambassador to Mongolia
The United Kingdom announced the appointment of Edwin Samuel as the next Ambassador to Mongolia, succeeding Fiona Blyth, who will move to another diplomatic posting.
Samuel is expected to assume the role in July 2026. The appointment comes as Mongolia and the UK continue expanding cooperation in areas including mining, investment, governance, and education.
Photo credit: Government of United Kingdom
Government of Mongolia Says Oyu Tolgoi Talks Break Seven-Year Financing Deadlock
Mongolia's Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources G.Damdinnyam said negotiations with Rio Tinto over the Oyu Tolgoi investment agreement have achieved “real progress,” breaking a seven-year deadlock on discussions over loan interest terms.
The government-led working group is seeking to reduce management fees, improve governance, and align financing costs with international standards. Damdinnyam said both sides agreed to continue negotiations until concrete outcomes are reached, with Rio Tinto’s negotiating team scheduled to arrive in Ulaanbaatar on May 12.
The minister also confirmed that separate negotiations are being prepared regarding Entrée Resources’ two licenses, with Mongolia seeking to secure benefits primarily through royalty arrangements rather than equity adjustments.
Photo credit: eGuur
Cabinet Plans Pre-Naadam Budget Amendment Amid Rising Fiscal Pressures
The Government of Mongolia plans to submit a budget amendment next month and seek parliamentary approval before the Naadam holiday, citing growing fiscal pressures linked to fuel prices, budget deficits, and external economic uncertainty.
Officials previously argued that stable coal exports and easing Middle East tensions had reduced the immediate need for a budget revision, but the government now expects rapidly changing global economic conditions and rising fuel costs to require faster policy responses.
Economy and Development Minister J.Enkhbayar said the Cabinet has proposed amendments to the Fiscal Stability Law to remove restrictions preventing budget revisions within three months of approving the medium-term fiscal framework.
Photo credit: iToim
BREAKING: S.Bayartsogt Confirmed as Democratic Party Secretary General
The Democratic Party’s National Policy Committee confirmed S.Bayartsogt as the party’s Secretary General after he secured 66% support in a secret ballot during the committee’s 69th meeting at the State Palace. Bayartsogt, who had served as acting secretary general since April 15, received backing from 224 of the 377 members present despite internal opposition from some factions within the party.
Speaking during the meeting, he acknowledged divisions within the Democratic Party, which he said currently consists of six factions, but expressed confidence that the party could maintain unity ahead of the 2027 presidential and 2028 parliamentary elections.
Photo credit: GoGo
Bill Introduced to Allow Political Parties to Recall List-Based MPs
MP B.Batbaatar submitted amendments to the Law on Parliament that would allow political parties represented in Parliament to recall MPs elected through the proportional representation party-list system.
The proposed legislation seeks to clarify legal grounds and procedures for terminating an MP’s mandate, amid growing public demands for stronger accountability and transparency in Parliament and political parties. Supporters argue the reform would strengthen political accountability and improve public trust in Parliament.
Related amendments to the Political Parties Law and the Parliamentary Elections Law were also submitted.
Photo credit: Mongolian Parliament
Mongolia, SCO Discuss Expanding Analytical and Observer Cooperation
A delegation from Mongolia’s Institute of Strategic Studies, led by Director Mendee Jargalsaikhan, met with Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Deputy Secretary-General Oleg Kopylov at the organization’s Secretariat in Beijing on April 22.
The sides discussed Mongolia’s engagement with the SCO as an observer state, as well as prospects for expanding expert and analytical cooperation. The SCO Secretariat also confirmed it will send a delegation to participate in the 11th Ulaanbaatar Dialogue forum on June 4–5.
Photo credit: SCO
Mongolia, Kazakhstan Deepen Strategic Partnership with Expanded Trade and Connectivity Agenda
President U.Khurelsukh and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held official talks in Astana, reaffirming their Strategic Partnership and agreeing to deepen cooperation across economic, infrastructure, and social sectors. The two sides set a target to raise bilateral trade to 500 million USD, with plans to expand Mongolian exports of wool, cashmere, leather, and meat, while increasing imports of Kazakh agricultural products. Tokayev also expressed appreciation for Mongolia’s support in opening a Kazakh consular office in Bayan-Ulgii.
Both leaders agreed to advance a roadmap under the temporary free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, resume and expand direct flights, and establish a joint working group on transport and logistics connectivity. The visit resulted in 18 agreements spanning mining, finance, education, and culture, alongside efforts to strengthen business ties and cooperation on environmental and regional initiatives.
Photo credit: Presidential Office of Mongolia