"We will further expand opening up to Russia and Mongolia, strengthen cooperation with the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the three northeastern provinces, deepen all-round cooperation between Beijing and Inner Mongolia, and promote differentiated and coordinated development across the eastern, central, and western regions of the autonomous region." The Ninth Plenary Session of the 11th Autonomous Region Party Committee and the Regional Economic Work Conference made clear arrangements for deepening regional cooperation. To learn how the Autonomous Region Department of Commerce will implement the spirit of the Ninth Plenary Session of the 11th Autonomous Region Party Committee and the Regional Economic Work Conference and further expand opening up to Russia and Mongolia, a reporter interviewed Hu Yingfeng, member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Autonomous Region Department of Commerce.

"As an important bridgehead for my country's opening up to the north, Inner Mongolia is taking key steps in opening up to Russia and Mongolia. From January to November 2024, Inner Mongolia's import and export volume with Russia was 32.26 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.2%; its import and export volume with Mongolia was 67.91 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%. The region's ports had an inbound and outbound cargo volume of 114.608 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 17.7%. 46 new foreign investment enterprises were established in Russia and Mongolia, a year-on-year increase of 43.8%. In accordance with the deployment of the 9th Plenary Session of the 11th Party Committee of the Autonomous Region and the Regional Economic Work Conference, the Autonomous Region Department of Commerce will focus on the requirements of the "Six Actions" and proceed from the following aspects to further expand its opening up to Russia and Mongolia." Hu Yingfeng said.

First, we will continue to promote local processing of goods traded between border residents and expand the scale of trade. We will continue to promote the pilot program of local processing in the Manchuria Railway Cross-Border Trade Zone, leveraging the preferential policies of the cross-border trade zone to expand trade in Russian grain imports and drive the development of the grain and oil processing industry. We will also support other ports with the necessary conditions to carry out local processing in cross-border trade. We will also leverage the role of comprehensive bonded areas as open innovation platforms and explore barter trade with Russia.

Second, we will expand cross-border e-commerce and used car export business to Russia and Mongolia. We will further expand the scale of digital trade, increase the incubation of cross-border e-commerce talents, and support traditional foreign trade companies in developing cross-border e-commerce businesses.Promote the construction of a cross-border e-commerce O2O experience center (self-pickup center) in the Manzhouli Comprehensive Bonded Zone. Coordinate with the Inner Mongolia Post Group to launch commercial express delivery services in Erenhot, connect with Russian e-commerce platforms, and establish cross-border e-commerce China-Europe freight forwarding services. This will establish a stable, predictable, and convenient logistics channel, promote the centralized distribution of cross-border e-commerce products in Erenhot, and open up new cross-border e-commerce channels with Russia. Leverage the role of Manzhouli and Hailar as used car export bases, establish used car auction platforms within Russia and Mongolia, promote the export of unlicensed mining vehicles and expired passenger cars, and expand used car exports to Russia.

Third, we will promote integrated solutions to the problem of excessive consumption. We will actively coordinate with relevant departments of the autonomous region, the railway department, customs, and relevant leagues and cities to promote the construction of a "Hohhot-Ulanqab" China-Europe freight train assembly center, effectively addressing the issue of insufficient train schedules departing from the region. We will vigorously cultivate and develop export-oriented industries. While expanding the export scale of local specialty industries such as agricultural and livestock products, we will accelerate the improvement of the export competitiveness of high-value-added products such as modern equipment manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, and electronic components. We will also plan and develop processing industry projects in key port areas according to local conditions, and promote the deep processing of imported commodities such as coal, iron, copper, and aluminum in the region's hinterland through cross-border cooperation.

Fourth, further strengthen communication and coordination with Russia and Mongolia to promote the equal development of infrastructure construction. Further leverage the cooperation mechanism between local ports and joint inspection departments of Russia and Mongolia, strengthen daily communication and exchanges, and strive to collaboratively improve customs clearance efficiency and infrastructure construction at ports. Focus on practical cooperation on issues such as port planning and construction, equal development of interconnectivity, and facilitation of customs operations, and improve port management on a reciprocal basis.

Fifth, we will increase the supply of Inner Mongolian goods to the Mongolian market. A Chinese goods exhibition will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to promote more and better Inner Mongolian products to Mongolia. At the same time, port cities like Erenhot should leverage their geographical advantages to expand the exhibition area of their Mongolian trade markets, further enrich the variety of goods on display, and create exhibition, experience, and sales centers for famous Chinese products, providing convenient conditions for Mongolian merchants to centrally purchase goods.

Sixth, strengthen cooperation on key projects with Russia and Mongolia. Fully implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of China, Russia, and Mongolia, and strengthen cooperation with Russia and Mongolia in key areas such as energy resources and agriculture. Prioritize the power transmission project from Inner Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Encourage businesses to develop photovoltaic new energy and urban infrastructure in Ulaanbaatar in areas adjacent to Inner Mongolia and Mongolia. Coordinate and accelerate the construction of the Ganqimaodu Cross-Border Railway Bridge and the Ceke Cross-Border Railway Connector.We will coordinate various services, including the customs clearance of personnel and materials, for the shantytown renovation project in Mongolia. We will continue to support Inner Mongolian enterprises in strengthening cooperation with Mongolia in the fields of mining, transportation, ecology, and environmental protection. We will increase imports of bulk commodities such as coal, fertilizers, grain, and fodder from Russia, promote the processing of Russian and Mongolian imported goods in border areas, and improve the upstream and downstream layout of the industrial chain.

Seventh, we will build and effectively utilize platforms for international cooperation and exchange, and continue to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Russia and Mongolia. We will continue to encourage enterprises to open Chinese (Inner Mongolia) product exhibition and sales centers in Russia, Mongolia, and other countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, promote the development of overseas marketing networks, and enhance the "Mongolian products for Mongolian use" and the brand image of Chinese products.In 2025, "Inner Mongolia Commodity Week" will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and the Trans-Baikal Territory of Russia to raise the profile of Inner Mongolian products in both countries and continuously expand exports of Inner Mongolian products to both countries. The 5th China Inner Mongolia-Mongolia Investment and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference and the China Inner Mongolia-Russia Investment and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference will be held. Enterprises will be encouraged to participate in bilateral economic and trade activities to further expand economic and trade cooperation with Russia and Mongolia.