S.Batbold, Prime Minister of Mongolia. (by T. Tsolmon)
Meng Jianzhu (left) and S.Batbold (right)

Prime Minister of Mongolia S. Batbold just returned from a visit to the People's Republic of China. During his visit, the Prime Minister entered into an agreement with the southern neighbor in which Mongolia would receive a $500 Million loan. According to a source the agreement was discussed as early as 2002 when the Chinese Communist Party leader Hu Jintao paid an official visit to Mongolia. At that time, however, the amount was 300 million USD. The $300 million loan was proposed for the development of Mongolia as a gesture of friendly relationship with Mongolia from the Government of China and the Chinese people, and the Chinese side expressed their happiness and satisfaction with the agreement. However, according to the source, behind the $500 million loan there appeared to be a hidden agenda by the Chinese leaders. A reliable source confirmed that seven different conditions were given to the Mongolian authorities by Hu Jintao for this deal.

Among these conditions, one was related to Southern (Inner) Mongolians. Recently widespread unrest and tensions have escalated on the territory of Southern Mongolia. As Southern Mongolians strongly demand freedom and independence today, reportedly a tough request was given to our Prime Minister by the Chinese authorities. It was a request to guarantee that Mongolia will not accept Southern Mongolians and grant any legal residency. In response to a further request to deport all Southern Mongolians seeking asylum in Mongolia back to China, government leaders of Mongolia at the time, in particular, the Minister of Justice and Interior Ts. Nyamdorj worked actively to submit a recommendation to the Government of Mongolia for deporting Southern Mongolians back to China. Yet, J. Baatar, then the head of the General Intelligence Agency of Mongolia, opposed the plan by stating that "we are not yet in a position to wash our hands with the blood of our brothers". With their series of visits, meetings and loans the Chinese Government has consistently taken hostage of the Mongolian people, in particular Southern Mongolians, to which some of our government officials showed obedience and faithfulness in carrying out. If we look back at our recent history, under the instruction of D. Murun, former head of the General Police Department of Mongolia and current head of the Office of Immigration, Naturalization, and Foreign Citizens of Mongolia, our law enforcement authorities tricked and deported Batzangaa who was under the protection of the United Nations back to the hands of China. Leaders of our southern neighbor are attempting to control and oppress Southern Mongolians. Therefore, the source said, China has been imposing tough requests to the northern Mongolian brothers in exchange of a promise of money.

Original article in Mongolian was published on 06/22/2011 here: http://gonews.mn/hot.php?news_id=163&cat_id=2

Additional information on recent cooperation of the two countries:

According to shuud.mn, an online press of Mongolia, during his official visits to Mongolia, Meng Jianzhu, Chinese State Councilor, entered an agreement with S.Batbold, Prime Minister of Mongolia, on a 5 million Yuan aid from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to the Mongolian law enforcement authorities for "combating crimes": http://www.shuud.mn/index.php?option=news&task=view&id=25238&comm=yes

According to Xinhua News, China's official press, during his meeting with Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, Meng Jianzhu, Chinese State Councilor, highlighted the "threats such as cross-border crime and 'the three evil forces' of terrorism, separatism and extremism". Meng also stated that "safeguarding peace, harmony, stability and tranquility was in the common interest of the two countries and the common responsibility they should shoulder": http://english.cri.cn/6909/2011/07/07/2021s647106.htm