Mongolia- Russia-China Border Railway Commission holds annual meeting

The Mongolia- Russia-China Border Railway Commission meeting began in Ulaanbaatar on Monday. This annual conference has been held since 1956 with the three countries playing host by turn. The Russian team was led by the A.I. Chernikh, Chief of the Transportation Center of the Sibir Railway, and the Chinese team by Ma Tsyan Fei, Deputy Chief of Chinese Railway Transportation.

Briefing media, Chernikh said that they had exchanged views on how to improve services, and reviewed implementation of the decisions reached at last year’s meeting in Khuhhot. Freight and passenger train transportation would be thoroughly discussed. 1.5 million tons of freight has passed through Mongolia-Russia borders so far this year. The Russian Railway has been reformed and the private sector is now very active.

D.Jigjidnyamaa of the Ulaanbaatar Railway added that the conference was focusing on technical issues and also discussing revision of border crossing and customs procedures. He said increased freight rates have had no effect on the volume transported but the work load relating to freight transfer in Zamiin-Uud and Ereen has to be eased.