Beijing's Power and China's Borders by Bruce Elleman Stephen Kotkin Clive Schofield

Author:Bruce Elleman, Stephen Kotkin, Clive Schofield [Bruce Elleman, Stephen Kotkin, Clive Schofield]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Asia, China, Political Science, International Relations, General, Social Science, Ethnic Studies, Regional Studies
ISBN: 9781317515647
Google: xK7gBQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2014-12-18T16:08:17+00:00

To be sure, this view is exaggerated, but it does, nonetheless, reflect the attitudes of numerous Mongols.

Recognizing the perils of over-dependence on China, the Mongol government has attempted to cultivate relations with other countries. As early as 1989, Mongolia had joined the Group of 77, the organization for the so-called underdeveloped countries, and had established relations with the European Economic Community (now European Union). Mongol authorities have been aggressive in initiating closer contacts with numerous countries, a striking contrast to the pre-1990 period when they dealt almost exclusively with the Soviet bloc. They have also sought assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Association, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and have joined the Asia Pacific Economic Organization and the World Trade Organization, among other international organizations.76

Another recent development is closer Mongol relations with Russia, which has recovered from its virtual collapse in the early 1990s. Wary of China’s increasing influence in Central Asia and Mongolia, Russia has begun to affirm its interest in its southern neighbor.77 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia in May 2009 and pledged Russian assistance in energy, railways, airlines, and agriculture.78 About three months later, President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Mongolia and reaffirmed Russian solidarity with Mongolia and promised an expansion of trade, training for veterinarians, help on environmental issues and space technology, scholarships for study in Russia, and joint development of Mongol uranium resources.79 In 2010, Russia agreed to provide additional military equipment, and the Mongol government, in turn, approved of joint military exercises.80 These agreements with Russia offer Mongolia another outlet, but China is and, for the foreseeable future, appears that it will remain Mongolia’s foremost trading partner and investor.

China has its own concerns about relations with Mongolia. It has complained about the Dalai Lama’s visits to Mongolia. Some Mongols who still believe in Tibetan Buddhism have invited him, which is a repeated irritation for the Chinese government. The Chinese are not favorably disposed toward any show of support for the Dalai Lama and regard Tibet as an internal issue, with which they will brook no interference from the Mongols or other outsiders.81 They have been even more concerned about a Mongolia-Inner Mongolia link. Until the late 1990s, Mongols often demonstrated in Ulaanbaatar in support of fellow Mongols in Inner Mongolia.82 However, the Mongol government has tried to avoid alienating the Chinese government. For example, in December 1998, President Bagabandi visited Inner Mongolia and stated that he was “impressed with China’s efforts to protect the culture and education of the Mongol minority.”83 The joint U.S.-Mongolia military exercises, which began in 2006 and are known as “Khan Quest,” have been even more irritating for the Chinese, who have responded with “Sharpening, 2008,” a military exercise of their own just across the border in Inner Mongolia.84

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