By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 21: The recent diplomatic tussle between the Chinese government and Mongolian counterparts following the visit of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, has reached a halt with Ulaanbaatar agreeing to concur the ‘One China’ narrative as well as to never host the Dalai Lama.
China imposed harsh unilateral measures by taxing convoys carrying essential supplies thereby creating a humanitarian crisis in Mongolia. The move, many say, is a punitive measure by Beijing following the visit by exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama last month. Beijing cancelled bilateral meets with Mongolia and put financial loan negotiations to Ulaanbaatar on hold.
On Tuesday, Chinese state run CCTV cited Mongolia’s Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil re-iterating Mongolia’s firm support to the One-China principle and that issues surrounding Tibet belong to China’s internal affairs. Tsend also said that even though the Dalai Lama’s visit was religious, it had an influence beyond religion and that the government did not invite the Buddhist leader, according to CCTV.
Many say Mongolia’s short lived boldness is an example of non-compliance to Beijing’s bully-some diplomacy although with its crippling economic paralysis; Mongolia went as far as they possibly could under the circumstances.
The Dalai Lama’s November visit was his ninth trip to the country and possibly his last where the majority of its population follow Buddhism and has a healthy reverence for him, seen as the foremost figure in the Buddhist world.
Earlier this month, after Mongolia’s insistence India agreed to help the bereaved country extending a USD 1 billion dollar line of credit. Beijing is expected to normalize the impasse at the border and resume bilateral talks.
