Japan’s Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa  attended a tree-planting event in Mongolia to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Hayashi visited Chinghis Khaan International Airport, about 50 kilometers south of the capital Ulaanbaatar on Monday. The airport opened in July of last year.

The Japanese government provided nearly 500 million dollars in loans for the construction of the airport. Japanese companies have been involved in the construction, as well as operation of the facility.

After touring the terminal building of the airport, Hayashi took part in the ceremony to plant pine saplings. Mongolia’s Minister of Road and Transport Development L.Haltar  also joined the ceremony.

Japan and Mongolia marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in February.