Anti-China sentiment and centuries-old hostilities take centre stage in Mongolian election campaign
The idea that China remains Mongolia’s ‘enemy’ is shared by only a portion of voters, while others have been frustrated by the negative campaigning
The waving flags, triumphant song and rousing speeches of a Mongolian presidential campaign rally were interrupted by a fight that broke out in the crowd. A group of men had entered the event for Democratic Party candidate Khaltmaa Battulga on Friday carrying posters denouncing the businessman, prompting his supporters to shove the interlopers and tear up their placards, all the while chanting: “You’re mixed Chinese! You’re mixed Chinese!”
The jeer – intended to be an insult to the men’s Mongolian heritage – reflected the tone of an election marked by anti-Chinese sentiment and calls to protect the country’s rich natural resources from foreign forces.
As Mongolia prepares to go to the polls on Monday, voters are grappling with the nation’s complex relationship with its powerful neighbour, characterised by centuries of historical enmity and current financial dependence.
The Mongolian People’s Party has lost its values and is running a half-Chinese person in the election
Mongolia’s financial fortunes are closely tied to China, whose slowing growth has troubled the landlocked nation’s economy.
China is by far the country’s largest trade partner, with 80 per cent of Mongolian exports going south of the border.
Wary of this oversized influence, Mongolian presidential candidates have advocated a “third neighbour policy” for focusing Mongolia’s partnerships beyond Russia and China.
A video circulating on Mongolian social media shows black and white footage of a lively Chinese community in Ulan Bator, followed by clips of Chinese migrants protesting and scuffling with Mongolian authorities.
“Many Chinese people were expelled from Mongolia decades ago,” the voice-over says, “but today the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) has lost its values and is running a half-Chinese person in the election.”