A project aimed at bringing the young people of China and Mongolia together was launched in Ulan Bator on Friday. Named "Colongo", meaning "rainbow" in Mongolian, the project is one of the largest ever efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two nations. It was co-launched by the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia, the government of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and several of Mongolia's ministries.

Later this month, 23 city designers from Mongolia will pay a weeklong visit to Inner Mongolia's Hohhot, Ordos, and Erenhot, to exchange ideas and experiences with their peers in Inner Mongolia. It will be the first of many exchanges between young professionals from both countries. Reporters from each country are expected to take part in a similar exchange in July.

Bai Yugang, the deputy head of the autonomous region's international communication association, says the project will run for more than three years. Activities in health, arts, and sports have been scheduled, and other topics are being considered.

"The Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Mongolia share a common language and traditions and this advantage and geographic affinity will be a solid base for communication between the two sides," Bai says.

The Mongolian organizers echoed Bai's sentiments. "It's phenomenal to expand communication to so many fields," says Tumenjargal Magaadai, Mongolia's Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. "It's time to inherit our predecessors' efforts promoting the two countries' economic and cultural cooperation and pass them on to the younger generation."

The relationship between the two sides has blossomed in recent years. Ulan Bator has hosted the Inner Mongolia Culture Week three times, and Hohhot held a similar event to introduce Mongolia in 2010.