The Identity-based Dilemma in Mongolia’s Relationship with China: Progress and Vulnerability

In this paper I evaluate current Sino-Mongolian relationship through focusing on the construction of the relationship between Mongolia and increasing importance of Chinese economic exchanges as it pertains to the formation of contemporary Mongolian identity. The main purpose of my study is to obtain both a historical and current insight into the present day bilateral relations through providing a “new” perspective on identity.1) In the process I will try to fill a vacancy in the literature on Sino-Mongolian relationship. My research explored the following questions: (1) What is the nature of current Sino-Mongolian relationship? (2) What are the intrinsic and constructed factors that Mongolian identity based on? (3) What kind of role has China played in the formation of Mongolian identity? (4) How has the valued given to protecting Mongolian identity impacted contemporary Sino-Mongolian relations?