China nudges Mongolia to join Eurasian security bloc

China’s Premier Li Qiang has expressed the country’s intention to enhance cooperation with Mongolia under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), nudging Mongolia to join the regional group that includes Russia. Mongolia has been an observer state since 2004 while other nations became full-fledged members. Li stated that China is prepared to strengthen cooperation with Mongolia under the SCO and other frameworks to safeguard their common interests.