
A high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official began a state visit to Mongolia on Tuesday. Zhou Yongkang is the head of the party’s powerful Political and Legislative Affairs Committee. His visit comes just after state visits to Mongolia by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. Officials say Zhou Yongkang’s visit is crucial to fostering cooperation between China and Mongolia. While he’s in Ulaanbaatar, Zhou Yongkang will meet with officials in the Mongolian government. He will also visit an eye clinic that is sponsored by the Chinese government, as well as a groundbreaking ceremony for the “Shine Yarmag” apartment block, which the Chinese government is helping to finance. Zhou Yongkang’s visit will last until Friday, August 26.