Mongolia is expected to enhance cooperation with China on technology, railway connections and green development as its prime minister kicked off a six-day visit to its neighbour on Monday.

L.Oyun-Erdene, who is leading the high-level delegation, is expected to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and will also attend the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, or Summer Davos, in northern port city of Tianjin between Tuesday and Friday.

Science, technology, innovation and green development, including delivering progress on projects such as the Erdeneburen hydropower plant, will be discussed, according to the statement.

Both governments will work on the enhancement of connectivity through the Gashuunsukhait railway, as well as the integration of the Bichigt and Shivee Khuren railway networks.

A rail service between Mongolia’s Tavan Tolgoi coalfield and Gashuunsukhait on the Chinese border was opened in September, with the expectation that it could help coal exports to China reach 50 million tonnes a year.

Both Mongolian border crossings of Bichigt and Shivee Khuren can be connected to China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and are expected to facilitate the transport of bulk goods, such as coal and copper, with a more comprehensive rail structure.

“During their trip to China, the Mongolian delegation is also expected to explore the potential of extending China’s swap loan into a development loan.

China is using the loan and any resulting infrastructure as part of its “grand connecting plan”, said Jayant Menon, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.