Dignitaries gather on stage at the opening ceremony for the second China-Mongolia-Russia International Commodity Expo and Economic Cooperation and Development Forum, which took place in the city of Datong, in Shanxi province, on June 13. [Photo/sxgov.cn] 

The 2nd China-Mongolia-Russia (Datong) International Commodity Expo and Economic Cooperation and Development Forum was held in Datong city, Shanxi province, from June 13 to 16. 

Organized by the Datong government, the Mongolian Economic Cooperation Confederation, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, the event was divided into two parts – an exhibition and forums.

The event, with the theme of Belt and Road international production capacity cooperation, focused on industrial chains, culture, and international logistics sectors. It invited local and international companies, institutions and experts to share their ideas and best practice in industrial development and technology trends, to promote more joint ventures. 

At the opening ceremony, government representatives from China and Russia signed a memorandum of friendship and cooperation between the cities of Datong and Volgaski. The Chinese and Mongolian business representatives signed a memorandum of cooperation on the wool industry. Some companies in Datong city reached strategic partnerships with government departments and companies in Mongolia and Russia. 

Irmuun Demberel, vice-president of the Mongolian Economic Cooperation Confederation, and Tatyana Volkova, director of the economic affairs bureau of the Volgaski municipal government, said they hoped to do more trade with the city of Datong and wanted to strengthen their development policies and matchmaking with Datong to expand their commercial relationship. 

At the event there were three parallel sub-forums themed on international warehousing and logistics cooperation, international commodity supply chain development and world cultural heritage applications of the China-Mongolia Economic Tea Road. 

At the event more than 200 government leaders from the three nations – as well as academics, business people in equipment manufacturing, biomedicines, international logistics, and the investment sectors, and sponsors -- gave keynote speeches on the economic development of their countries and cities, as well as investment conditions and project developments and discussed tripartite economic cooperation. 

The expo, showcasing regional quality commodities and the latest developments in trade and investment, attracted 148 companies from three countries. Jade products, jewelry, cashmere clothing, leather products and watches from Mongolia and Russia -- and China's new materials, industrial products, handicrafts and specialties -- were popular with visitors. 

Jing Hu, deputy mayor of Datong, said that the event had raised the profile of  Datong in relation to the expansion of its economic opening up to other markets. He said that in the future, Datong will not only export its own products, but also serve as a distribution hub for domestic products and Mongolian and Russian products.