Mongolian President Kh.Battulga donated 30,000 sheep to China as a good-neighbourly gift from a strategic partner during a unexpected visit to China in late February. A number of people opposed the visit initially for fear of the coronavirus infection. However, during his five-hour visit, the President was warmly welcomed by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as the first foreign head of state to visit China since the outbreak of COVID-19. Furthermore, Chinese public expressed particular gratitude for his donation. The topic “Mongolian President donates 30,000 sheep to China” received more than 100 million views on Sina Weibo.

To calm fears of the virus at home, upon his return, Kh.Battulga and the delegation team observed the obligatory quarantine requirement.

According to the Foreign Ministry in Ulaanbaatar, the Chinese side has requested that Mongolia sends the sheep alive in autumn, when they are in peak physical condition. Therefore, the Mongolian Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industries is working to collect 30 thousand sheep and conduct the necessary medical examination. The first herd of sheep is expected to depart for China in September.