Number of Mongolian coal freight trucks entering China hits record high

ULAN BATOR -- The largest number of Mongolian coal freight trucks to enter China at once arrived in the country Wednesday, Mongolian Finance Minister Chimed Khurelbaatar said Thursday.

"There has been a significant increase in coal exports from Mongolia to China. Yesterday, a total of 2,233 heavy-duty trucks laden with coal entered China from Mongolia via four border points, namely Gashuunsukhait, Shiveekhuren, Bulgan and Khangi, hitting an all-time high," said Khurelbaatar.

This happened as a temporary regulation called Green Gateway came into effect on Aug 1, which aims to boost trade and economic cooperation between China and Mongolia amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to the introduction of the regulation, an average of 500 to 1,000 coal trucks per day entered China from Mongolia, according to the Mongolian Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry.

Mongolia exported a total of 11.2 million tons of coal in the first seven months of this year, a decrease of 46.4 percent compared to the same period last year, official data showed.

The sharp decrease in coal exports was largely due to restrictive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Mongolia is a landlocked country with rich natural resources, among which coal is the main export commodity.