Yanbian-Mongolia rail link 'on track' to facilitate access

Plans are being drawn up for a railway linking the Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture in Northeast China's Jilin province with Mongolia, an official said at the "two sessions" in Beijing.

Yanbian, just north of the border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, can be a window to the world for the province, "which is a major reason that the prefecture decided to extend its reach into neighboring countries," said Che Guangtie, director of the area's congress.

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A railway will mean more efficient exchange of goods and resources between the two areas, according to Che, who is also a delegate to the National People's Congress.

"It's a big developing opportunity for both areas, and I have a strong feeling that Mongolia intends to cooperate with us to build the railway as soon as possible," he said.

Yanbian had previously launched a forum that aims to offer a platform for an exchange of views with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Russia. Last year, Che said, Mongolia joined the group.

"Mongolia showed great interest when we mentioned the railway plan," he said. "Such willingness... must be helpful to reaching an agreement."

Che told China Daily that he was determined to conduct studies in Mongolia this year, hoping to learn more about the country and its needs, "which is key to reaching an agreement and fulfilling the plan" for a rail link, he added.

Wang Shengjin, who specializes in research of the Northeast Asian economy at Jilin University, said the rail link will be useful for fuel transport and tourism.

"Fuel and resources in the two areas are complementary. Yanbian needs rare metals that are abundant in Mongolia, while Mongolia needs coal from us," Wang said.

The proposed rail link would offer landlocked Mongolia better and cheaper access to the sea via Hunchun, a city in the prefecture, Wang said.

Zhao Yinan contributed to this story.