China — Mongolia — Russia Geopolitical Triangle: Emerging Consolidation of the Greater Eurasian Economic Space

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2026-3-4

Keywords:

China — Mongolia — Russia geopolitical triangle, Greater Eurasia, multi-vector foreign policy, cumulative integration model, China — Mongolia — Russia economic corridor, transport and logistics connectivity, Eurasian economic space

Abstract

This article examines the institutional and infrastructural structure of the China — Mongolia — Russia geopolitical triangle as an emerging subsystem of the Greater Eurasian economic space. The aim of the study
is to analyse the structural parameters of the triad’s transit and trade interactions in 2014–2025
and to theoretically substantiate the concept of «cumulative integration.» Methodologically, the study relies
on the principles of gravity modelling of international trade, computable general equilibrium (CGE) methods, and scenario analysis based on statistical data from the World Bank and national agencies. The format
of interaction is evolving from isolated logistics projects to a multi-level architecture. Mutual trade and investment generate a cumulative effect, despite persistent imbalances and regulatory shocks (including the consequences of restrictions on corporate investment in Mongolia). It is concluded that Mongolia, by implementing the «third neighbour» doctrine, serves as a coordination platform for strategically balancing the interests of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union. We propose a hierarchical framework for cumulative integration, built on transport infrastructure as its foundation and the institutional environment as its superstructure. Scenario modelling shows that deeper integration of transport corridors can drive long-term GDP growth of over 5 %
in transit countries. This approach makes it possible to test flexible mechanisms for economic convergence
in a fragmented global economy, without requiring countries to cede national sovereignty to supranational bodies.

Author Biographies

Veronika Yu. Chernova, Institute of Economics of RAS

Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Leading Researcher, Sector of Bilateral Relations Between Russia and Neighbouring Countries, Centre for Post-Soviet Studies; Scopus Author ID: 57191925715; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5951-9091  (32, Nakhimovsky Prospekt, Moscow, 117218, Russian Federation; e-mail: Veronika_urievna@mail.ru).

Boris A. Kheyfets, Institute of Economics of RAS

Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Chief Researcher, Centre for Post-Soviet Studies; Scopus Author ID: 57199177482; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6009-434X  (32, Nakhimovsky Prospekt, Moscow, 117218, Russian Federation; e-mail: bah412@rambler.ru).

Zarina A. Dadabaeva, Institute of Economics of RAS

Dr. Sci. (Polit.), Leading Researcher, Centre for Post-Soviet Studies; Scopus Author ID: 57473419700; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2454-3259  (32, Nakhimovsky Prospekt, Moscow, 117218, Russian Federation; e-mail: zarina.17.06@list.ru).

References

Batkhishig, B., & Dorzhieva, V. V. (2025). Trade and Economic Relations Between Mongolia and Russia in a Changing Global Economy. Mirovaya Ekonomika i Mezhdunarodnye Otnosheniya [World Economy and International Relations], 69 (1), 76–86. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-1-76-86 (In Russ.)

Chu, N., Wu, X., & Zhang, P. (2022). Cross-Border Accessibility and Spatial Effects of China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor under the Background of High-Speed Rail Environment. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 19(16):10266. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610266

Dondokov, Z. B. (2024). China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor: Problems and Prospects of Regional and Cross-Border Cooperation. Fundamental’nye Issledovaniya [Fundamental Research], (10), 16–20. https://doi.org/10.17513/fr.43682 (In Russ.)

Dondokov, Z. B., & Namzhilova, V. O. (2022). China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor: Building Infrastructural Connectivity in the Face of Global Challenges. EKO [ECO], (12(582)), 52–71. https://doi.org/10.30680/ECO0131-7652-2022-12-52-71 (In Russ.)

Fadeeva, A. Yu. (2025). Prospects for the Implementation of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor (CMREC) in the Context of Eurasian Integration Processes. Evraziiskie Issledovaniya [Eurasian Research], (2), 60–74. https://doi.org/ 10.48647/ICCA.2025.58.14.006 (In Russ.)

Hua, L., Gao, C., Wang, J., Shang, Y., & Mishig, D. (2026). Coupling Coordination Between the Trade Sustainability of China-Mongolia Ports and Cross-Border Transportation Accessibility. In DECS’25: Proceedings of the 2025 2nd International Conference on Digital Economy and Computer Science (pp. 866–877). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/3785706.3785842

Isono, I., & Kumagai, S. (2025). Geographical Simulation Analysis of Economic Corridor Development in Mongolia. IDE Discussion Papers (No. 963). Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization.

Kalinin, R. R., & Khatmullin, A. R. (2024). Mongoliya kak Novyy Tsentr Borby za Resursy: Perspektivy Rossiysko-Mongolskogo Sotrudnichestva v Oblasti Atomnoy Energetiki, Osvoeniya i Dobychi Poleznykh Iskopaemykh [Mongolia as a New Center of the Struggle for Resources: Prospects for Russian-Mongolian Cooperation in the Field of Nuclear Energy, Exploration and Mining]. Moscow: Center for Political Studies in Russia, 43. (In Russ.)

Kheуfets, B. A., & Chernova, V. Yu. (2025). International Cumulative Integration and Assessment of its Economic Effects. Voprosy Teoreticheskoi Ekonomiki [Issues of Economic Theory], (3(28)), 7–24. https://doi.org/10.52342/2587-7666VTE_2025_3_7_24 (In Russ.)

Krulikowski, S., & Riker, D. (2024). Growth and Trade Diversion due to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Working Paper (No. 2024-04-B). U.S. International Trade Commission. https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/working_papers/krulikowski_and_riker_2024_bri.pdf (Date of access: 02.04.2026).

Kushkhov, B. H. (2022). The Historical Implifications of Russia — Mongolia — China’s Triangle. Principles and Regularities. Vestnik BNTS SO RAN [Bulletin of the BSC SB RAS], 1 (45), 89–94. https://doi.org/10.31554/2222-9175-2022-45-89-94 (In Russ.)

Kushkhov, B. H. (2023). The Energy Security of Mongolia in the Context of the Russia — Mongolia — China Triangle: “Energy” in Exchange for “Security”? Vestnik BNC SO RAN [Bulletin of the BSC SB RAS], (1(49)), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.31554/2222-9175-2023-49-85-89 (In Russ.)

Luzyanin, S. G., & Kushkhov, B. Kh. (2024). Subregional System “Russia — Mongolia — China”: Transport and Сultural-Сivilizational Dimensions. Mongolovedenie [Mongolian Studies], 16 (3), 447–460. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22162/2500-1523-2024-3-447-460

Makarov, A. V., Makarova, E. V., & Mikheeva, A. S. (2024). Mongolian Vector of Russia’s Foreign Economic Policy (To the 100th Anniversary of the Mongolian People’s Republic Formation). Mirovaya Ekonomika i Mezhdunarodnye Otnosheniya [World Economy and International Relations], 68 (8), 105–116. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2024-68-8-105-116 (In Russ.)

Migranyan, A. A., Dinets, D. A. (2023). Vectors of Russian-Mongolian Cooperation. Geoekonomika Energetiki [Geoeconomics of Energetics], 24 (4), 55–76. https://doi.org/10.48137/26870703_2023_24_4_55 (In Russ.)

Namzhilova, V. O. (2024). Mongolia’s “New Revival Policy”: Infrastructure Priorities. Vostok. Afro-Aziatskie Obshchestva: Istoriya i Sovremennost’ [Vostok (Oriens)], (1), 165–176. https://doi.org/10.31857/S086919080029252-4 (In Russ.)

Samaruha, V., Samaruha, A., Dorzhieva, V. (2024). New Realities of Economic Cooperation Between Russia and Mongolia. Obshchestvo i Ekonomika [Society and Economics], (7–8), 137–147. https://doi.org/10.31857/S0207367624070101 (In Russ.)

Ulagpan, Y. (2021). Belt and Road Initiative: Opportunities and Challenges for Mongolia. Asia-Pacific Journal, 19 (3), e3. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1557466021030795

Vardomsky, L. B., & Pylin, A. G. (2024). Vremennoye Torgovoye Soglasheniye EAYES i Mongolii i Rost Svyazannosti [The EAEU-Mongolia Interim Trade Agreement and the Growth of Connectivity]. In Rossiysko-Mongol’skiye Ekonomicheskiye Otnosheniya: Tekushchiye Problemy i Novyye Vozmozhnosti [Russian-Mongolian Economic Relations: Current Problems and New Opportunities] (pp. 121–135). Moscow: Institute of Economics of RAS. (In Russ.)

Wan, J., Vovenda, A. V., Luybina, D. E., & Mushenko, E. V. (2021). Development of the China-Russia-Mongolia Corridor: Cross-Border Dimension. Sociopolitical Sciences, 11 (5), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.33693/2223-0092-2021-11-5-27-33

Yu, Y., & Feng, S. (2023). International Trade Cooperation Between Russia and China Under the Belt and Road Initiative in the New Global Order. Governance and Politics, 2 (2), 55–82. https://doi.org/10.24833/2782-7062-2023-2-2-55-82

Zhang, X. (2020). Unimpeded Trade and the Construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor: Problems and Prospects. R-Economy, 6 (4), 242–250. https://doi.org/10.15826/recon.2020.6.4.021

Zhelezniakov, A. S., Nikiforov, S. V., & Chuluun, S. (2024). Political-Legal Foundations of Interaction Between Russia and Mongolia as States-Civilizations. Vestnik Rossiiskogo Universiteta Druzhby Narodov. Seriya: Sociologiya [Bulletin of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. Series: Sociology], 24 (4), 1133–1147. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-2272-2024-24-4-1133-1147 (In Russ.)

Additional Files

Published

29.09.2026

How to Cite

Chernova , V. Y., Kheyfets , B. A., & Dadabaeva , Z. A. (2026). China — Mongolia — Russia Geopolitical Triangle: Emerging Consolidation of the Greater Eurasian Economic Space. Economy of Regions, 22(3), 518–532. https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2026-3-4

Issue

Section

Strategic Frameworks for Investment Cooperation in Greater Eurasia