The Ministry of Transport and Development intends to further expand the construction of a high quality international, intercity and local road network.

On Oct 31, 2022, Mongolia's Ministry of Transport and Development announced the official opening of the 745-kilometer highway AN-4, which connects Russia and China and runs through western Mongolia. It is expected that the opening of the highway will further facilitate the transport of goods by land between China, Mongolia and Russia.

The transport corridor stretches over 4,500 kilometers from Novosibirsk, Russia, to Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, passing through the Chaganur Port in Bayan-Orji Province of Mongolia and Bulgan port in Kobudo Province (corresponding to China's Takshken port, located in Qinghe County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang).

A total of 33 reinforced concrete Bridges, ranging in length from 30 to 201 meters, have been built as part of the project, and a 1,300-meter mesh fence has been constructed to prevent rocks and stone debris from falling, according to the ministry. The project also uses reflectors to ensure safe night driving, said to be the first in Mongolian history.

The project was financed by the Mongolian Treasury budget, loans from the Chinese government and aid from the Asian Development Agency.

Earlier, Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Irden spoke of the project while discussing the country's "New Renewal Policy" plan, which includes an overhaul and renovation of border checkpoints. Among them is the Chaganur road port in Bayan-Orji Province in western Mongolia, which borders Russia's Altai Republic to the north and China's Xinjiang to the south.

Currently, Mongolia's imports from Russia through the Chaganur road crossing typically consist of 60 per cent petroleum products, 25 per cent food and 15 per cent compound feed. In 2021, the Chaganur road port was converted to 24-hour operation, increasing passenger flow and cargo turnover.

The modernization of border crossings is one of the six goals of the national plan of the "New Rejuvenation Policy", and the construction of a new highway through the Chaganur border crossing will make it the main gateway for transportation between Russia and China, Oyunerden said.

Mongolia has built a transit corridor connecting Asia and Europe by taking advantage of its geographical advantages. As a result, mass production and services in the region will increase, and exports will help the economy. Editor/Xu Shengpeng