Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Ray Manhattan, Kansas — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:54:24 GMT

Thanks for this informative article. Wishing that the Han Chinese would let Mongolia have "Inner Mongolia." I wonder if Mongolia has any Oil or whatever, that the Han Chinese think they need? HA! The Mongols have a great history and I hope they keep looking towards the U.S. for friendship etc. And I also hope the U.S. Government does not miss the opportunity to be good friends with Mongolia and the Mongols. The U.S. also needs to support Tibetan Independence.

(With that said, anyone who gets a chance to watch the excellent movie "Mongol" about Genghis Khan,in Mongolian with English sub-titles), please do so.)

Also, with all that the Mongols have in common with the Tibetans, can we imagine how fantastic it would be if Tibet was free of the Han Chinese yoke? It would speak well for the Han Chinese and their government in Peking (yes, I like the old spelling), if they would just let go of Tibet and Inner Mongolia. Instead of holding on to places with large populations of radically different cultures etc., the Han Chinese would earn world praise if they let Mongolia proper have "Inner Mongolia" now in China, and leave the Tibetans free to have their own richly deserved country - toally free (for ever) from Chinese control. The Tibetans are NOT Chinese, and the Mongolians are NOT Chinese.

The only readon Peking is holding on to "Inner Mongolia" and Tibet, is because the Han Chinese think that if they let these two areas go they will have a great loss of face. On the contrary! If China let Tibet and "Inner Mongolia" go they would earn more respect from the world then they could ever imagine.

Come on Han Chinese people and leaders, do something besides screaming at the world media and telling them they are prejudice towards you. And quit trying to tell everyone that the Mongols and Tibetans are Chinese just because you drew Chinese borders around "Inner Mongolia" and Tibet.

After all is said and done, you need to concentrate your attention on making better products for Wal-Mart instead of beating up on your ethnic "minorities." All the money you spend on sending Riot Police to crack skulls somewhere could be much better spent on paying your workers more to make better coffee makers etc. etc.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

mo — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:01:52 GMT

Why is the World press so reluctant to accurately portray the massive land grab of China's Imperialist invasions by Mao ? Next perhaps will be the exposure of their gains of parts of Vietnam and India not to mention several offshore Islands.
As in other cases around the world, oftentimes the most accurate gauge of a country's true colors is gleaned by those in a position to know best : it's closest neighbours (its population not the sometimes illigitimate dictators).
Germany returned the conquered lands from this same time frame and the Soviet (Russia) Empire from the same era also has returned soverignity to it's diverse Nations ... When will the Chinese Empire also do so ??

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kevindatz, chicago IL — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:36:11 GMT

it's just too low to use a racist activity in another country (Mongolia) to support the authors racist claim against all Chinese people.

Are you telling me I am rude, Adrienne Mong?

Maybe I am, but please educate me how a group of 1.3 billion people are rude.

So it's OK to be biased against China since the Chinese are rude. Look at your argument please and tell me you can keep a straight face.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Jw0025 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:02:59 GMT

Why is the US so keen on stirring up ethinic animosities in other countries?

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Loyd — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:06:38 GMT

I spent some time in Mongolia during the mid '90s. They are a fantastic bunch of people. When I told them that man had landed on the moon in 1969, they didn't believe me. They don't like Chinese for sure. They didn't appreciate it when Hillary Clinton so rudely did not drink the fermented mare's milk. I still have contact with my interpreters and one day I want to go back.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Jorge — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:15:45 GMT

It is no doubt that Xingiang, Mongolia and Tibet are a part of China. People in the above provinces have lived harmoiously and peacefully with Han Chinese throughtout the centuries. Historically, the government has tried very hard to help them and to upgrade their living standard. Obveriously, the ethnic problem has been precipitated by outside agitators.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Tom, San Diego, Ca — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:17:15 GMT

There isn't a country in that region that doesn't despise the Chinese or their government.The rest of the world is about to find out why.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

mike harrigan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:28:54 GMT

I thought the article was superb. Some light has been shed on my limited understanding of china's ethnic strife.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

A Chinese — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:59:39 GMT

As a "Chinese" (let's be honest here even if you are born and raised in America as long as you look asian you will always be considered to be a Chinese by everyone else)I find this article rather amusing. Calling someone a "Chinese" maybe an insult in Mongolia, but calling someone a "Mongoloid" is an insult in the English language.

I don't see the point of the article other than the usual China-bashing? Bad Chinese, they are SO RUDE, we must CIVILIZE them.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Whoever, whatever, wherever — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:20:31 GMT

Get your facts straight there, buddy!
Your so-called "flourished" under Yuan dynasty means the whole Chinese culture was set back for hundreds of years under the Yuan dynasty. All southern Chinese people who had advanced to the brink of Capitialism were treated as "Two-legged Sheep" during that period of time. The goal of the Mongolian high court was to make the whole world a feeding ground for their sheeps. Why do you think the whole dynasty only lasted less than 100 years?
All things, all hatreds happen for a reason.
Nobody is innocent historically. If you think the name "Chinese" is bad in Mongolia, try the name "American" in Iraq. Billions of dollars to BUY a name people spit on in the streets, really smart!

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

a Tibetan man — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:23:29 GMT

It is such a shame that the main Problem here is that the Government simply is NOT addressing the issue at hand. The issue is that the Uighur's have been repressed for 60 years by the Chinese government's one sided policy. The relocation of millions of Han Chinese into Uighurs region and not giving equal opportunity to the Uighurs in their own homeland is the the ultimate cause. EXACTLY similar to the Situation in Tibet, China's main goal has been to completely assimilate/eliminate the native population into their Han culture. This is done by mass population transfer of Han Chinese into non Chinese region to make those cities Chinese cities. In this day and age, Such purposely led policies will not be successful because people have access to information and they see the result of such harsh one sided policies of Chinese Government.

Tibetans, Uighurs, Mongolians etc are said to be part of "56 Chinese minority", when the reality is that we "minorities" are not treated like part of Chinese society, instead we are faced with discrimination that only has gotten worst and worst each year.
The Chinese media only shows killed/injured Chinese, a very cruel & calculated move. With thousands of Chinese mob hunting down Uighurs & around 20,000 heavily armed police deployed, don't tell me only few Uighurs were killed or injured.
In conclusion, the issue here is not the Uighur people or the Tibetan people (last year), it is the one sided Policies carried out by the Chinese Government for 60 years ever since its invasion of these non Chinese regions/countries.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

ask me — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:40:59 GMT

We focus so much on China and their land grabs, but we forget how much the US exploited other nations. Don¨t forget where much of the US land comes from....

Hopefully, as the US loses its power, we will all get along better.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Jim Stephenson, Twin Falls, Idaho — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:49:10 GMT

A friend of mine is in Ulanbator working for an Australian mining company. He talks a lot about the many untapped natural resources that Mongolia has. If I was the Mongolian government, I would be very wary of the intentions of both Russia and China towards my country. Especially as China's seemingly insatiable appetite for consumption continues to grow.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Travis — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:52:30 GMT

I think that people are taking this article too personally. I think it was well written. I don't think it is Bias at all. There are personal opinions of others, not the author. Don't accuse the writter for conveying the thoughts of someone they spoke too.

I do think the Chinese government uses a hammer too often and a feather to little. It is a brutish government system. I do give them credit for making vast strides over the past decade but they are still taking their time catching up.

Every country in the world faces racial and religious differences. Some just don't let their people wail on each other because of them. (In case you didn't notice....those that let the beatings commence are far behind, economically and politically, those that don't)

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Freedom or Death, Freedom town USA — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:53:17 GMT

I would not worry about the chinese ( In china) they like all oppresive forces will do their own self in. For all who will look to insult this stance, I ask you to exam this first, how long can you keep a people under your thumb before they break it, how long do the chinese think they can push on all people with their heavy handed simple ways, before they push to far? Its funny to think of what will happen to their leaders when that day comes

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

abc, somewhere, earth — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:55:11 GMT

For some ignorant people who thinks Mao's China grabbed all the land of Tibet, Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, please read this article more carefully. The author of this article told you that they were integrated in Qing Dynasty which was established 100 years earlier than the United States. By the way, Ray, why don't you return to Europe so this land can be returned to its original owner, Indians? I can fully rewrite your comments with compelling arguements by replacing "Tibetans and Mongols" with "Indians" and replacing "Chinese" with "Europeans". A bunch of Hypocrites who always complains someone else stinks but forgets his own butt is smeared with a big pile of ***t!!!

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

patrick mahoney, Atlanta GA — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:59:49 GMT

This is an excellent article, and very accurate. Mongolian history is amazing.....and even Tibetans draw their roots from Mongolia. After Genghis Khan, his sons bestowed the title "Dalai Lama" (means Ocean of Wisdom) and the lands of Tibet to the high Lama. His grandson, Kublai Khan. founded the Yuan Dynasty in China (note name of money ;-)

While Genghis Khan was brutal and harsh, his sons and grandsons brought a golden age to most of the known world. China Govt would have us forget history; particularly theirs.

This is a bad time in which we live; soon China will fall....again....but not without much pain and anguish. It is for the reason alone, that the Dalai Lama has been so patient with them; trying to get them to avoid this destruction. Not because he, Tibetans, or Buddhists are weak.....because they see the outcome of hate, anger, destruction, and violence.....perpetuation of the same. It seems to be the fate of humans. But where death came, flowers will grow.

So, there is hope....and that hope will flower in Mongolia. They are strong enough to assure that.

:-)

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Cwech N. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:00:20 GMT

"There isn't a country in that region that doesn't despise the Chinese or their government.The rest of the world is about to find out why."

I find it interesting that you're saying all the countries that China borders hate the Chinese, yet if the Han Chinese hate on others it's a crime(!). If Inner Mongolia wanted to seperate like Uyghurs there'd be massive demonstrations just like in Tibet and Xinjiang but there isn't, ask yourself why.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Where is native American now — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:03:14 GMT

Whenever for someone to tell the Chinese to free Tibet or Mongolia, let's tell the American to free America, the Australian to free Australia. Give those lands back to the natives. Unfortunately,there are not enough natives to raise their voice now, because they were genocided two hundreds year ago.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

history — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:11:28 GMT

Before the invasion of the mongols Song dynasty was at the peak of Chinese civilization (more so than the Tang dynasty) in terms of arts and technology. While Europe was still in dark age Song dynasty was showing signs of evolving into the first capitalist society in the world, had Mongols not invaded it. Mongols attemped to exterminate Chinese initially by killing anyone with the most common five last names (Zhang, Li, Wang etc. but not Mong) but soon gave up. However, the mass murdur committed by the mongols throughout numerous Chinese and European cities resulted in hundreds on millions of human death. This is historical fact, one simply needs to go to wikipedia or any open respected media to find it out.
There is nothing to glorify behind the vast territory occupied by the Yuan empire, or any other empire in the history of mankind for that matter. Under the mongolian rule Yuan dynasty was the only dynasty throughout Chinese history that divided all people into four classes (similar to India's caste system), where Han Chinese were at the lowest level. The animosity of Hans towards mongolian during the later rebellion and the establishment of Ming dynasty was not unfounded.

Ming dynasty didn't control inner and outer Mongolia, but Qing dynasty under Manchu minority rule did. Manchu of course were completely assimilated by the Han Chinese. The Mandarin spoken today was a hybrid language that had strong Manchu dialect influence and share no resemblence to traditional spoken Chinese, which for example resembles Cantonese, Taiwanese, Wu dialect or Japanese much more (Japan copied arts, technologies, languages starting from Jing, Tang dyanasties).

Both inner and outer Mongolia were under the rule of Republic of China (now Taiwan) right after the fall of Qing dynasty in 1911. Outer Mongolia was then allowed to be independent by secret deal reached between the Communists in China and Russia, a deal which even today Republic of China (Taiwan) refused to recognize (the map of official Republic of China still includes outer Mongolia).

One can change the citizenship but not the ethnicity. The YDNA and mtDNA in every single cell of your body speak for what your ancestors have passed on to you and make you look the way you look. It is unfortunate if one forgets the history (the story) of his or her ancestors.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

J, Chicago — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:18:13 GMT

China has always been hungry for power and more and more land. They conquered mongolia, tibet and even parts of India. And they still have border disputes with India..Go figure. Its high time that they liberate these indigenously different people and let them have their own country. Time for China to fall in USSRs footsteps.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

John — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:32:41 GMT

Just curious.

What does "You are American" means in different countries?

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Molly Kansas City — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:42:17 GMT

To all the people seemingly defending Mao (modern day China) and his actions let us not forget…he is a brutal dictator who had millions of people slaughtered and who allowed millions more to die of starvation. The Chinese people have allowed themselves to be brained washed like the North Korean’s but it does not mean that those of us leaving outside that restrictive world can’t do a little research. The U.S. will never confront China as long as the American people keep buying up all the cheap products. I have nothing against this, but as an American understand that you are supporting a government that has done far more killing and destruction then the Nazi’s did. All so you can have your cheap products at Wal-Mart.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

distant relative of Genghis Khan, Denver CO — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:52:19 GMT

Thank you for informative clear article.

As an American with Mongolian heritage, I think the biggest problem is China's strategy of relocating thousands of Han to areas historically belonging to other ethnicities with the intention of diluting, marginalizing and eventually stamping out the original culture. This is not respectful and deserves to be chastised by the international community. Most importantly, the world needs to know the Uighur situation is not a first or isolated case of this ethnic cleansing. Their unrest is justified.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

mo — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:58:11 GMT

Ask me,
The story is about China. We get it that you don't like what they did 300 yrs ago. Why should we then like it that China is doing, as you claim, the exact same thing NOW ???
In fact the story is more specific to Mongolia so your concern should read " Don't forget where most of the MONGOLIA land comes from....."

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Jack Huang, New York, NY — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:58:52 GMT

Interesting article, Adrienne. While I did find the "How to insult a Mongol" section a bit obtuse, the article on the whole does a good job of laying out the premises and circumstances surrounding Mongol & Han ethnic relations, and how it intertwines with Mongolia & China's political relationship.

Mongolia's aspirations for Western alignment are especially important, noting China's current anti-Western social atmosphere & West-neutral business attitude.

I find Ray Manhattan's comment amusing, as if the US ever gave up part of its sovereign soil simply for PR's sake or for the sake of cultural differences. The American Civil War and the sometimes-aggressive rebuffs of Texas's repeated secession attempts come to mind as potent counterexamples.

Further, "mo" would do well to read up on what China, as a technically victorious nation, gained (or rather, lost) in the Treaty of Paris. Too many Americans are far too glad to forget (or never bother knowing) even modern history for the sake of furthering the illusion of personal moral superiority.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Yuan - the Mogolian Barbarian — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:51:54 GMT

Don't we Americans forget how we annexed Hawaii, Panama Canal Zone, Arizona, California (with all the towns named as San ---, Los ---) and the New Mexico!

Do you think the Mexicans really like us for what we are?

Stop being a hypocrate!

You think we are all saints and the natives were so happy to give their land to us?

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Be kind with each other — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:03:08 GMT

Why should Han people not be allowed to move into other ethinic regions within China? Why can the people in USA move from one state to another? We live in a freedom and open society. People should be allowed to move around for opportunites and livings. Human beings need move forward with an open mind. Every day, we lean some new culture and loss old culture. This is the nature of our human beings. This is not something changed by others. We can not blame that somebody else takes your culture away. If a culture has a root to survive, it will be there and nobody can take it away. Ask yourself if you can speak the same language that your grandparents speak. Ask yourselves if there is any culture difference at your time and your grandparent's time. If the world is not too good, it is because there are so many ambious politicans and they need a pieces of land to be a leader. The worst thing is those guys are always able to find their followers whoever they are.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

joe wilson — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:06:15 GMT

Mongolia was a terrtory of china until 1911. 911-2009

The Republic of china (1911-date) has Never, Never renounced sovereignty over mongolia. Mongolia, inner, outer has the territory of china.

Russian expansion made Mongolia a satellite of USSR.

Mongolia, again, in 21st. century will rejoin china as province of china.

Mongolia, inner, outer, has been and will always be a pat of of china: of the free republic of china.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Pablo Phoenix, AZ — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:13:49 GMT

US and "Western" journalism whatever it means, seems to lie dormant to many historical and contemporary facts.
For one, imperialism, wars of repression and blatant racism and cultural genocide are the hallmark of US and Western histories. Iraq and other occupied lands are only but a few of the places where cultural degradation and where political manipulating are the order of the day. Do not think that American brand of journalism is not putrid with propaganda and lies.
Ask the all the native Americans where their cultural is and ask the so called reporters who approves their corporate sponsored reporting. All people must understand the nature of the yoke around their neck and the hypocrisy of those rule, promise change and yet cater to the elite, the warmongers and the worshipers of false religions. Mongolia is an occupied land and so are many parts of America, the Middle East and all to satisfy the the greed of the elite.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

FSM. — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:41:07 GMT

i had stay at mongolia for two years,not have such bad thing happened,you are abused by chinese.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Mike, Dallas — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:27:15 GMT

Agitators LOL. My 2 cents. IF China fails it is because of China. Not any other country. I love people who blame other countries for stirring the pot. Well that's what a free press does and if you don't like freedom of press I suggest you move to China. Its all propaganda from both sides. Quit feeding the fire. In fact. When you blame somebody, your just pointing the finger at yourself. Become Enlightened and rise above petty human squabbling. Peace

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Dr. Wang, Beijing， China — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:59:20 GMT

Let me tell you guys something new: Many Chinese youth are talking about taking outer Mongolia back in the near future......

And I believe we can all see this happen in our life time.

We will also take back lands from Russia, it already happened but far from enough.

You just sit still and look on, it will be exciting.

Just wait.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Jack, SF, CA — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:37:30 GMT

It's an internal issue. The sooner interlopers realize it, the better the world will be.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Francis Chin, Hong Kong, Hongkong — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:55:35 GMT

no comment because of your censorship

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

ake mue,london,gb — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:01:19 GMT

the mongolians look like europeans these days.lets divide the mongolia into the mineral rich and mineral poor areas. we the europeans can have the mineral rich area and the chinese can have all the population and the mineral poor area. funny games are being played in mongolia which were going to be played in siberia earlier but the darn putin is smart.

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Caliboy, California — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:43:57 GMT

Woah, can we give Texas and California back to Mexico or Puerto Rico bak to the Puerto Ricans or Guam or Samoa back to there people before we ask China to give anything back that they took?

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Peacemaker — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:13:08 GMT

"People in the above provinces have lived harmoiously and peacefully with Han Chinese throughtout the centuries. Historically, the government has tried very hard to help them and to upgrade their living standard. Obveriously, the ethnic problem has been precipitated by outside agitators. "

Why do so many Chinese people always say this when issues of ethnic conflict arise? It sounds like an official government statement that has been grilled into the people's heads over and over again. The underlying tone is that why are these minorities so ungrateful for all that the Chinese government has done for them to improve their condition? They are wrong to rebel and should be more grateful and accept Beijing's rule. If the government and Han-Minority relations have truly been so good and the government has truly improved the lives of the minorities, why would these ethnic conflicts and complaints keep arising?

Whenever there is anything that could potentially threaten China's nation unity, it is always blamed on the West or "Outside" influences. It's never the fault of Beijing's policies, insensitivity, or inability to truly make the minorities an equal Chinese citizen to the Hans. Being really good to a minority group might help to make them accept your rule, but only respect, freedom, equality, and recognition of their inherent worth and contribution to the greater society will bring true peace.

If after 50+ years of Chinese rule, these minority groups are still rebelling, the Chinese government must be doing something really wrong. It's time Beijing takes responsibility and reevaluate their policies towards the minority groups instead of blaming the issues on the outside. Take a lesson from the history of the U.S. and don't live with the future guilt of genocide or oppression.

Open up to the diversity of the various cultures in China as you have to Western ways and ideas. Let these various cultures and minorities enrich China rather than stamp it out or force them all to be Han. Since China is changing so much today, why not find new ways to create a new "China" culture to make these minority group an equal part of the overall society instead of subjugating them under the Han way and culture?

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Mike, Sacramento — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:32:59 GMT

American efforts to Encircle China. Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Tibet, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Xinkiang, all the states bordering China. American has been involved in wars and unrest in each one.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

bebopbob, Hilo, HI — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:59:26 GMT

I'm moderately amused when I read what are obvious posts from Chinese nationals calling the U.S. hypocrites for desiring to see Mongolia and Tibet returned to their autonomous status. They refer to the Native Americans' mistreatment as the basis for U.S. hypocrisy.

They somehow forget or ignore that times have changed since the concepts of Manifest Destiny were imposed by men of their time 150 years ago. The U.S. has at least admitted its wrongs and to some extent has made attempts at reparations.

If they concede those acts were wrong, why do they perpetuate such wrongs against the Tibetans and Uighurs to this day?? How do they view the massacres and cultural genocide they imposed on their own people as recently as the Cultural Revolution??

What reparations will be extended to all of their victims?

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anna — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:32:20 GMT

The problem with Americans is that you only see inward, and everything about the east is viewed from your angle. Read Edward Said's Orientalism. You only want China, Russia, Africa and Islam to be fragmented into pieces, so that you come up to be the strongest. What ever it takes, Americans will use Democracy and Human Rights as weapons, while conditioning the East to make it impossible to have good governance, unless being fragmented into pieces. In fact, the US is not even a truly democratic nation. General election was only formality, because in the end, the special delegates decide the end result. Does it sound like the Supreme Council in some country like Iran? What Americans do not understand is that when China is fragmented, the entire world will be in chaos. Good intention that comes out of Americans is questionable, and this is understood by Russia, China, Islam and Africa (and even by Europe).
Americans noise about Uighur, and close your eyes that it was the Uighur who attacked the Hans, like in most Islamic regions. Americans refuse to know that the Uighur are not natives after all because they are Turks in origins. But even if the Uighur is the natives of Xinjiang, ... how about that Whites came to the Americas, and instead of going to the Americas to work and prosper (like most Hans in XInjiang), the Whites went to the Americas to eradicate the native Americans.
Americans need mirror to look at your own history, but ignorance and ill-minded cloud your chance to see the truth that you do not care to see. This is why Russia and Islam understand that there is no hope for Americans to be open-minded to the Orient. One day, Africans will want the Americans to pay for the sins that you have done to the slavery. Apology would not be enough.

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everywhere, world — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:39:30 GMT

Who cares what happenned hundreds of years ago? What matters is who's in power now!!!

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Gary — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:05:55 GMT

Where is Genghis Khan now when his people need him?

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Wang Min China — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:40:47 GMT

O, guys, ever saw the joyful celebrations on the streets of some Middle East places after 911, if I remember correctly, I got it from western media, so it must be untwisted truth, if the reasoning of some of the posters here is a sound one, what could they reason out of that one?

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Kelly Hayman LaPorte Indiana — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:41:39 GMT

Before we, as Americans worry about China's imperialism we should give account to Mexico and how we "won" the US southwest and California. Britian, the US, Russia, the Netherlands, Japan, China and probably many others have practiced Imperialism. Take a look at what we did in the Phillipines or to the Native Americans. Lets worry about our own closets before we open another's.

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A PROUD HAN CHINESE, Detroit, Michigan — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:46:13 GMT

When Kublai Khan established his empire in the historically Han Chinese' territory, wasn't that an INVASION?! His grandfather Genghis Khan invaded a vast land in Europe, and nobody denied that was an INVASION. Why should a different standard be applied to China?

The most disturbing thing about this article is that what has been discussed is political, rather than culture. The article is very offensive to Chinese people. I am a Han, and I have friends from other so called "minority" groups. Needless to say, I wouldn't lower myself to call people from any ethnicities "rude"!

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Busukaba — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:59:32 GMT

Wow, it's amazing how uninfromed people are who post here. If you're going to post a comment about history, at least know your history. China and Tibet have never been peaceful neighbors and never had true peace under Chinese rule, just simple opression. As a matter of fact, centuries ago, Tibet was the aggressor, massacreing thousands of Chinese in philosophical and religious conflict.

As far as whose land came from where... most of the American lands came from European imperial powers. Almost 2/3 from England, France, Spain and Russia. Mongolian lands? Well, how can you define the traditional lands of a traditionally nomadic people? It is likely a massive area of land which traditionally overlapped the sovriengty of other nations because nomads aren't concerned with politicl boundries, but just where their herds will graze in the winter and summer.

As far as the Chinese being rude. well, that's not what the article is saying. All the article is saying is that Mongolians consider being called Chinese is an insult. And so far as China being better off under a "Communist" system rather than a democratic one, the answer is probably a resounding neither. China is enjoying a economic boom at the expense of their environment and health. As for history, I was confused a little by Molly's post since both the Nationalists of Chang and the Communists of Mao committed the same attrocities against one another. Who was worse? Well, I guess that's a matter for debate.

And come on, Wikipedia? A respected media? Come on. And if the Mongols were so bad economically, how did China become, possibly, the richest nation in the world under the Yuan dynasty. Taking ideas from Persia and other conquesed nations, they developed paper money, industry and the arts flourished. How is it that the Yuan was the worst dynasty? Oh, I remember, it's because it wasn't Chinese. It's kind of like what the Japanese say about anything before Himiko, I get it.

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蓝凤晓 — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:01:32 GMT

I am a minority in China, my home in Guangxi China, I though that Inner Mongolia will call Mongolia back to China when you ask they choose, just like me, and I think that Guangxi is China's, I hope that the Vietnamese into China when Vietnamese ask us to choose .

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MadSat — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:42:07 GMT

China is falling apart internally. The ethnic divisions that remain from a number of imperial land grabs (and not all of them by any means from the Mao era) are literally ripping the place to pieces in slow motion. The last year that I'm aware of in which the Chinese government gave an official figure on the number of "incidents" was 2005. The number given was over 87,000. And yes, that's the number that was reported in ChinaDaily. And 'incident' is code for 'large public disturbance', aka riot. If the US was approaching 300 riots per day, we'd be hearing about it every five minutes, but the troubles in China seem to just blow by like the sands of time. How many know that over 100,000 factories closed their doors in China last year? So many factory owners have run away with the last payroll and whatever they could lay hands on that an actual slang word for this practice has entered the language. (I confess, I've forgotten what it is.) China appears to be about to repeat its internal disruptions of the 1860's and 1930's, IOW, civil war. In the 1860's war, about 15% of the people died, millions died during the dual wars with Mao and Chiang and the attacks from the Japanese. I'm very much afraid this history is about to repeat.

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Long River — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:00:42 GMT

Thank you, "history". Very helpful background information. I wish the author had known this. I am learning.

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L. Bell, Sabah, Malaysia. — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:08:58 GMT

All the peoples surroundering China hate the Chinese and want to destroy them. Only the Chinese truly love their enemies. They will survive and prosper for another six thousand years. By then, all their enemies will have vanished from their neigbourhood.

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Haha — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:19:56 GMT

I find in the biggest China bashing posts if you replaced the word China with America, it would ring even more true to people around the world.

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Gaston, Indianapolsi IN — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:32:46 GMT

Xinjian, Tibet, Inner Mongolia are all integral parts of China. It is an internal Chinese policy and the world expects China to resolve its own problems without outside agitators interference.

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CC, Lafayette, Louisiana — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:13:44 GMT

When is China going to give up all these lands? Shortly after the US gives all the land back to the native Americans and Hawaiians. It ain’t gonna happen.

More likely, all these ethnic minorities will slowly be assimilated into the greater pan-Chinese society, like the Chinese have done with all the other people/cultures through out history.

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Simon Mcmon — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:19:44 GMT

That the Han(chinese) are racist is a fact! Not only do they oppress the minorities in their own land, Xinjing, Tibet and Inner Mongolia, they forment trouble in the countries of SE Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia in particular. My Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian Chinese friends have always made comments against their host nation's ethnic majority which would be considered Racist in the West. They earn their money in SE Asia, But refuse to assimilate into the mainstream society, Why? because the Han are racists!

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S, St. Louis — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:23:34 GMT

I thought it was a well-written article. That doesn't mean that I now think that all Chinese are rude and that all ethnic minorities in China are sainted. Indeed, on a rudeness scale from 1 to 10, Genghis Khan would probably have ranked a 20. I think it's useful, though, for Americans to be continually reminded that China -- or the Asian world more generally -- is not monolithic. There are divisions, as there are in any country or geographic region. We know from our own history that ethnic divisions can present difficulties and ethnic tensions can be difficult to address. We also know that there tends to be an "official" view of the difficulties that predominates in government communications and on the airwaves -- a view that people on all sides of the issue often end up disliking.

A question. We talk about how China is flooding minority regions with millions of ethnic Han. The evil intent, so it is said, is to undermine the original ethnic culture. How different, really is that from affirmative action or busing? The result of these policies is that minorities become "more white." Or, saying this another way, many, if not most, Americans are comfortable with the "merging" of the races. Given the differences in numbers in these different groups, isn’t that "merging" really more of an "absorption"? I'm not even saying this as a criticism of such policies. If one has a racial divide, one needs to bridge it. Vanishingly few would advocate a semi-autonomous Black area in the US. Why then are separate ethnic regions a good idea in China?

I do get annoyed with so much of the American press for their lack of honesty about ethnic or cultural divisions in foreign countries. Minorities in other lands are almost always depicted as being oppressed. We stand up for their rights at convenient times--ignoring them at others--all the while furthering our own political and economic interests and generating ad revenues for various crusading news outlets. In fact, the greatest eraser of cultural distinctions is mass media. American media claims to celebrate diversity. It seems to me, however, that the meanings of words like Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian have been rewritten by this same media in an effort to make everyone's behavior falls within a very narrow range. The end result is that tastes, though not identical, are remarkably similar across hundreds of millions of people--an advertiser's dream. If a deliberate policy of homogenizing western China for social stability is evil, why is a deliberate policy of homogenizing the North American continent for marketing not evil?

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Beringia, Chicago, IL — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:03:06 GMT

Keep on bashing about China and Chinese. Regardless the ruling party, China is not as weak as 100 years ago. Not a tiny chance to lose any more land. Keep in mind, a smaller China is probably easy to bully with, to fit the size of your walnut heads. Forget about democracy, your noble thought. Arrogant writers, when did the Moguls swept through most of the EuroAsia?

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Jerry Wayne, Santa Ana, CA — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:23:30 GMT

Overall, this is a very well written article. It should also be noted that no where in the article does the author or anyone else ask that Inner Mongolia or Tibet be released from China to go their own way as separate nations or as part of Mongolia. It would also be unrealistic to expect this to happen.

In the first pace no nation on earth is going to simply give up an area as large as Inner Mongolia that they have had as part of their country for over 300 years, the very though is ludicrous. As for Tibet, it was taken over by China in 1949 and due to political and “face” reasons it will not be released from China’s control in the near future.

As many of the comments have said the United States has been an imperialistic nation, one I am proud to be a citizen of. Each nation makes decisions’ that are in the best interest of that nation. China, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Russia and all other great powers have been imperialistic at some time in there history and will always act in that they feel is in the best interest of there country.

It should be noted however that although the United States has done many things in the past and present that I am not proud of we have also done many great things just as China and the other World powers have done. However, the comment that the United States will not give up territory that it has taken over is total false. One look at Iraq today and the other citations shown below should show.

Former Territories of Occupied lands the United States (incomplete)
• Line Islands (?–1979): all U.S. claims ceded to Kiribati upon its independence.
• Panama Canal Zone (1903–1979): sovereignty returned to Panama.
• Corn Islands (1914–1971): returned to Nicaragua.
• Roncador Bank (1856–1981): Colombia in September 7, 1981 by treaty.
• Quita Sueño Bank (1869–1981): was ceded to Colombia in September 7, 1981 by treaty.
• Serrana Bank (?–1981): was ceded to Colombia in September 7, 1981 by treaty.
• Philippine Islands (1902–1935); Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935–1946): Full independence in 1946.
• Phoenix Islands (?–1979): ceded to Kiribati upon its independence.
• Philippines (April 11, 1899–July 4, 1901): civil government operations began.
• Cuba (April 11, 1899–May 20, 1902): sovereignty recognized as Republic of Cuba .
• Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (1947–1986): included the Compact of Free Association nations (Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau) and the Northern Mariana Islands
• Ryukyu Islands (1952–1972): returned to Japanese control, included some other minor islands under the Agreement Between the United States of America and Japan concerning the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands.[5]
• Bonin Islands (or Ogasawara Islands) (1945-1968): Returned to Japanese control by mutual agreement.
• Marcus Island (or Minami Torishima) (1945-1968): Returned to Japanese control by mutual agreement.
• American Occupation Zones in Austria and Vienna (1945–1955)
• American Occupation Zone in West Berlin (1945–1990)
• American Occupation Zones in Allied Occupation Zones in Germany (1945–1949)
• Japan (1945–1952)
• Rhineland (Germany) (1918–1921)
• South Korea (1945–1948)
• Coalition Provisional Authority Iraq (2003-2004)
• Green zone Iraq (March 20, 2003–December 31, 2008[7])

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Tristan, Denver — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:03:19 GMT

Jack...It is certainly fair to compare the Europeans conquering of America to the Chinese conquering of their neighbors. It is however completely unwarranted to compare the contemporary history of the two countries. Take Texas, they have the legal right to succeed from America, they do not because they don't WANT to. The Tibetans want to, The Uighurs want to, perhaps the Inner Mongolians want to. The difference is when the Texans talk about it, no army is sent to beat and kill them. I don't know China's history well enough to know how to solve this problem. I do know the way the Chinese gov't is handling it would not be allowed to happen in this country today.

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xueping, NJ — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:48:52 GMT

If you ask the Chinese free Tibet, then ask the Americans free Louisiana;then you might really understand more about the so called freedom and rights!

By the way, please educate our Chinese people how to be not "rude"! what is rude? what is not rude?

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D. Henry, Austin, Texas — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:56:54 GMT

It's ironic that many Americans in this forum support the independence of Inner Mongolia, Tibet or Xinjiang. As Americans, we should all well aware of our own history. Our ancestors forcefully grabbed lands from the native Indians and our governments repeatedly violated treaties with them. Now the Indians are left with no country of their own. Indian Reservations are located in undesirable parts and nowhere near as a country.
Now, unfortunately, many ignorant Americans claim to have higher moral standards by criticizing other nations. The world has always been "the strongers dominates the weakers" because the law of the nature is for the survival of the fittest. Any questions?

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Amanda Wang — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:15:25 GMT

I don't know why the westen medias they hate China so much.The US and other coutries they declared to have more democracy than China.But why don't they just tell the world the truth,Have you ever been to China,have you ever know what commom people (all nationalitis）think？come on，Tibet and Xinjian are parts of China ,this is the truth even before the foundation of PRC,As far as I know,the Minorities they have priorities to the Han Chinese.They can have more Children ,they can go to universities at a lower marks.I used to have some classmates of minorities ,I know what they want .Common people they don't want Tibet and Xinjiang to be dependent,what they want is a good life,Only a few people they want to ,because they want to be the kings of the kindom, so they can superior the the common people

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Tate, Sacramento, California — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:19:10 GMT

Using history to sanction the issues with the ethnic minorities in China is not an appropriate argument for the problems at hand. Yes, during the time of exploration. many nations took control of lands that belonged to indiginous peoples. If we were to learn from history (that is what history is suppose to do), we would know that we should respect the rights of the indiginous peoples to their own land. I just returned from China and found that the Chinese people are standing up straight as Moa taught them but they are also being taught that Moa was a positive influence for the people of China. After killing millions of people, the government of China still has his picture up everywhere and the people that I spoke with saw him as a great leader. So, I ask you-is Hitler's picture on German money? I think not. The German people learn from their mistakes. I don't think the Chinese people are allowed to learn from their mistakes because the government won't let them.

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James Paw, Clearwater, FL — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:23:13 GMT

We onl have this one planet (for now). The lines on the ground that determine what location is in what country are already drawn. To change these lines is always a problem. One must work within these lines with the people and the government already there. No one wins in war. No one wins in fighting. I have been to Inner Mongolia and to Xin Jiang many many times to visit common people there. Most of the people are happy, hard working and are not singled out as a minor ethnic group. The Chinese government has to handle 1.3 - 1.8 billion people. All the strife these minorities see is seen by only a few, most work hard, study well and live...happy. This Chinese government provides this and tries to do it the best way....but you try it with that many people...it is hard to do and keep everyone satisfied. Every country has minorities that must be integrated into the whole society and culture. I am not saying the Chinese government is fair or doing the right thing....I am saying I see a country coming from the depths of a really poor leader's ideas to a high profile, modern nation. I have been to China over 30 times and to some of the other countries around it. You have to see where they are coming from to see how they get to this position.

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el-Shinqiti — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:42:16 GMT

Lets not all be hypocritical; criticism begins at home: when we talk about people taking other nations' homelands, ask where the independent Native American nations are, including those who had formal treaties, with Congress, guaranteeing their sovereign rights; treaties which were ALL violated when the ruling racists wanted more land for (European) invaders termed "settlers". It was OK for minority whites in South Africa, and for European Jews in Palestine. Why is it bad when competitors of the US do it, but white-washed when the US (or our "allies") do it??

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C Wang, Orange County, CA — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:54:04 GMT

It seemded that people are learning history from Media rather than from history itself. Isn't it a failure of our education system? Isn't it a root cause of declining American leadership in the world?

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Chamba Derp Two Rivers Wisconsin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:48:07 GMT

wow! Isn't it amazing how we can attack China for not being right in step with most of the other countries on human rights issues. Better still to attack a country that pours financial aid into their land grabbing sections of land. Do we so soon forget all that has happened to this country in 2008?They have embarrassed the United States Government by clearing up and rebuilding most of what that devasting earth quake destroyed in may of 2008 and is rebuilding with stricter guidelines and building codes.While the good ole U.S.A. has not done as well with the katrina incident. All the financial aid that pours into Tibet and Mongolia to care for "ALL" the people there and speak of the riots brought on in Tibet and who was at te forfront of instgating and inciting the people to riot. Those dear sweet Tibetan Monks were up front and leading to the destruction and carnage of those riots. But as Americans we were not shown these scenes because of the western journalists slanted reporting. What is with this fear that we as americans have against the Chinese?? Is it the Chinese people who have taken away your jobs or is it the Corporations Executives who have seen a better way to line their pockets with even more profits. If you wish to show your hatred, then at least direct it where it belongs. Every time you look in the articles written by western journalists you see the pointing of fingers at the Chinese Government. In 2008 it was all about Tibet, then the western journalism turned away to the destruction and the mighty efforts put forth by the Government to do all in its power to help the quake victims, then they were still able to endure the harshest winter in 46 years and yet pulled it together enough to put on and carry out the most fantastic visual display for the Olympics and now the western journalism again points fingers at Inner Mongolia and its cries for a supposed freedom but, really what do they gain by ridding themselves of Chinese rule to only fall prey to countries like Japan and the U.S.A. who watch and hope for an opportunity to get their sticky fingers on some of the vast natural resources of Mongolia. Seems like a magicians trick with smoke and mirrors and slight of hand!!!!

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CJ, El Cajon, CA — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:38:28 GMT

I find the comparisons of China to America, etc, severely out of date. In modern America, even in those lands gained by conquest or extermination of native peoples, those peoples (AND everyone else who is here legally) are protected by the law and invited to participate in our society and government.

While this may not always have been true (arguably, it wasn't until the post-MLK era), in China the circumstances are currently even worse than they were in earlier American times.

Part of the articles about the Uyghur protests mentions the closure of mosques; the Dalai Lama has been exiled from his homeland for being a religious leader, etc, while in the US we have never persecuted a *religious* group or used government powers or forces to close houses of worship, even temporarily.

And all that aside... what about freedom of the press? What is China afraid of? That we'll know what they are actually doing to their own people?

Oh... wait. Yeah. They *are* afraid of that.

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Francis Chin, Hong Kong, Hongkong — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:36:19 GMT

It is a dumb article written by the dumb for the ignorant "back home". Americans tend to import their own race problems to the other parts of the world. Sort of one-size fit all.

There is a glaring error in the article. Chinese always respect the exploits of the Mongols and regard Gengis Khan as their national hero. There is no question of rebranding. Rebranding happened in Outer Mongolia because during the Ruski occupation of that state, Gengis Khan was a non-person. The Mongols ruled Russia for 3 centuries and Ruskies had no love for the great Khan. Ms Mong should do East Asia History 101.

The Chinese are always there, in what is Inner Mongolia [and Outer Mongolia too before they were driven out by the Ruskies in the twenties], Xinjiang and Tibet.

Trying to stir up racial hatred thereby serving the American and the West strategic interest [of cutting China to a smaller size] is a dangerous game and is born to stir up nationalism and conflicts.

What happens if one ask why don't the Americans give back the lands they seized during the Mexican Wars in the 19th century to the poor Mexicans? Tibet Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia are integral part of China, under any mode of government, as much as California, Arizona and New Mexico is American.

The Chinese are never racist. We have not got anything equivalent to "Chinese Exclusion Acts". Perhaps Ms Mong should dig up this subject and find out from the Chinese communities in America how the Chinese suffered under these Acts which were not abolished until 1942. Perhaps, her ancestor was like mine, being a victim of these Acts.

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pvr — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:28:13 GMT

As for native Americans, they are self-governed, preserve their own cultural identities, and basically get a free ride on the US goverment if they wish to take advantage of all of the benefits.

Was it right to do what the US settlers did? No. Is it right for the Chinese? No. So why the arguments involving this name-calling "logic"?

As for resettlement, the Vietnamese government has been quietly resettling Cambodia with ethnic Vietnamese to take tax and tourism money, and agricultural products for Vietnam's gain. Why isn't anyone mentioning this?

Where's the outrage? Acquisition and greed are the human condition. China is just continuing what the US did over a century ago. They're even imitating the US hydroelectric projects and buying the US' used factory equipment.

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jgonad@cooltoad.com — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:39:17 GMT

Is it that someone is trying to bring down walmart ? by stoking ethnic tensions in the region and subsequent choas in the business and trade. I hope not. Lets be competitive rather than subversive.
If you look at history, it characterizes, mongolians as warriors, chinese (han) as materilistc minded progressive types , and uighers as nomads and layback herdsmen.

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Will Q. — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:55:48 GMT

I find it astonishing how many Americans admonish China's invasion and subsequent taking of Tibet, and yet fail to realize that the states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of Texas were forcefully taken from Mexico. Hey if China gives Tibet its land back, we should give Mexico, California, Texas,New Mexico and Arizona back.

This article is written from a medial myopic view. It only addresses the Western point of view, and seems to be a self-explanatory example of the Western media bias that the chinese claim they see. The article should include both points of view not one.

And another thing. When was the Yuan dynasty glorious? The mongolians invaded and killed millions of people, including a third of Europe with the spreading of bubonic plague which they carried. They had their area, and yet they invaded many nations, that shared different cultural, ethnic and linguistic characteristics.
- Maybe the mongols are angry that a once powerful nation, is now such a weak nation? It always hurts going from a somebody to a nobody.

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L. Bell — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:18:06 GMT

All the peoples surrounding China hate the Chinese and want to destroy them. Only the Chinese truly love their enemies and want them all to be "Chinese". This policy was as old, and as shrewd, as Confucius, seemingly a stupid man to the Western eyes. The task was made a little more difficult because the Whites had been stirring up shits throughout China in the last one and a half centuries. The Chinese will prevail no matter what. They had succeeded in Northeastern, Southeastern and Central parts of China where the peoples had become more Chinese than the original Chinese themselves! It is right for the whites to go outer-space and live in another planet. But the Chinese will pursue them there soon enough!

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John Porter, St. Louis, MO — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:42:15 GMT

Jack of NY,
Surely you don't believe that China, with it's torture chambers and murderous government is morally superior to the US? I'm sure it sounds pious, but I know for a fact that the US govt, with all its faults, is morally superior to the Chinese govt. Don't get me wrong, all people, as individuals have their moral shortcomings --I'm referring to govts here, not individuals.

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David, Peoria, AZ — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:32:55 GMT

West’s hatred for the Chinese people - not just its government – is clearly projected through it “just” and “unbiased” news medium.

In demonizing an ancient people with a proud and glorious civilization, the West projects its own intimately-known evils of racism, colonialism, hypocrisy, barbarism, and cruelty onto the historically-feared Chinese. Two birds with one stone: the West gets relief from its own guilt -- after all, it has got a lot of blood on it hands in the last 500 years in Africa and the Americas--and indulges in murderous envy of a people who are returning to her rightful place in the world.

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Tom , St.Louis — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:08:40 GMT

COME ON PEOPLE tell me that you are not THAT stupid when it comes to international affairs. The question "Why does the U.S. government want to stir up other cultures against each other in China"? I mean that would REALLY make our day SOOO much better. Think about it, a divided China is a weak China and an all out rebellion in mainland China would weaken the Chinese militarily for hopefully decades which would by us some time with the Iranian situation. And we will not have to be worried about China's military ambitions for quite some time.

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Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:12:35 GMT

I would assume that since everyone is so upset about what china is doing in tibet and xinjiang that you are just as upset at the same government policies in africa by the french, chinese, north and south americans...and at the policies of racism by israel and other mid east nations against small ethnic groups...and of europe against its ethnic groups that do not yet have their own nations and what about southeast asia or south american ethnic groups - all of you (and me) - including the chinese - need to take a longggggggggggggggg look in the mirror and stop talking and start doing ... thank you.

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Henry — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:33:33 GMT

A good article,
but Americans should return all land to the Indians according to the key points of this article.
So another problem will be raised.
Where these American should be back?
It is a realy big problem.

But I think the civilized Americans can solve it.
Maybe they can come to Iranq, Afghanistan......

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Michael Angelo — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:25:14 GMT

It is a unwinnable argument. These Pro-Chinese or fifty cent idiots as they are more commonly known, because the PRC GOVT pays them fifty cents for any artiucles they attack are incapable of accepting the truth. The facts are simple they took over Tibet and Xijiang by promising that they would be allowed to rule themselves. A promise the Chinese have never honored. Forth thing they did when they got their hands on the lands was to migrate hundreds of 1000's of han Chinese into the areas. I agree with Distant Relative, this is very disrespectful. You Pro Chinese who have sld your souls should be ashamed of yourselves. You are hypocrites supporting a corrupt govt that only wants to suppress you and keep you away from the truth. Go overseas and see the world for what it is and your govt for what it represents. as long as you are submissive you will be seen as towing the CCP line.

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sydney — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:01:55 GMT

I wonder what is the use of expressing a opinion on this website or any site like it. Does it release your personal frustrations with events / activities that happen somewhere in the world? Maybe.

I do know it does very little to influence regional or world politics - anyone that writes here doesn't have any real power. Or if they do, writing here does nothing to influence decisions.

Praise to the lord this is the case. There is so much mis-information written here it is somewhat funny.

Give yourself a chance people, read a book, watch tv, or simply chat about social things. Alternatively get some power to really influence decisions.

Have a great day All!

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Mongolpete — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:46:11 GMT

There are 35 million Han Chinese in Inner Mongolia, but only 3 million ethnic Mongols. What's to "return?"
There are 2.7 million Mongols in Mongolia, but 100,000 Chinese nationals there on extended visas. Why? The best question asked in this blog is, "What does China want from Mongolia?"
Mongolia has some oil. More significantly, it has massive deposits of copper, lignite and gold. The situation is being watched carefully by Asian and Western nations, including the U.S., Japan and South Korea. Should be interesting.

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Roger Moore, Austin, Texas — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:51:20 GMT

A totalitarian government with no legitimacy can only use nationalism to brainwash its people. Hitler did in 1930s, so do commies in China today. As an American with Taiwanese heritage, I totally agree with the distance relative of Chengis Kahn. The biggest weapon o f mass destruction China has is 1.2 billion Han Chinese. Not only migrate millions of Han to the regions that Chinese commies cannot brandish their iron hands, but take the control of the livelihood of other ethnicities.

I am not surprising the bloodbaths happened in Tibet and Eastern Turkestan. It happened in Taiwan on February and March, 1946, Chinese government slaughtered over 30,000 elite Taiwanese after Taiwanese peacefully protested for discriminations and economic hardship. I understood why Mongolians don’t want to be called Chinese. I don’t want to be called Chinese too. One of My Vietnamese friends felt offended when the first time I met him and thought he was Chinese.

Last year, Taiwanese mistakenly elected a Chinese who masqueraded as a Taiwanese as their President. Things changed so fast. He prohibited Dalai Lama visiting the island. He would not condemn the barbaric behavior of Chinese government against Uyghur. He welcomed the immigrants from China. He allowed students to use Chinese simplified characters in entrances exams. In no times, Taiwan will be overwhelmed by the Chinese. Another massacre can be near,

I admire that Mongolians bravely severe tie with China in 1945.

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Lois SWhite Buffalo — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:01:17 GMT

This is to distant relative of Chengis Khan and others who are interested in history. Well, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If its ethnic cleansing we are talking about lets get the natives riled up here so as to regain our territory from the f---ing us g. Genocide against tribal societies has been the modus operandi ever since the european invasion of N. America. What the Chinese do to maintain sovereignty pales by comparison to the destruction of tribal life of this country.
Distant Relative of Crazy Horse

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xiao, china — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:42:56 GMT

interestingly those who are not chinese and know nothing about china's histroy can talk sooooo confidently. But at least I figured out that there is no good ends for those who want to disrupt other country's intergation and peace. Then I can get the conclusion: think about the 911 and the recently dead US and UK army, that's not misrable thing or the attack of terrorist. It's just a deserved punishment of those western countries that always trying to interfering other countries rights or peopele's freedom. Say whatever you want, against to chinese people or chinese government as much as you can, but finally, you will get the equal judgement by (using your own word) 'God'!

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Ponchu, San Jose, CA — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:59:43 GMT

More than a hundrad yesrs ago, the western countries led by the British, tried to invade and exploit the Chinese people by imposing opium to them (that was later referred to as "the opium war" in Chinese history). When rightfully refused, they forced their way all the way to the capital,Beijing, of then Qing Dynasty with modern weapons.They killed, looted and raped Chinese people. The British took away Hong Kong, among many other things, from the Chinese people and kept it till 1996. Ever since then and untill 1994, the Chinese was bullyed, mistreated by many other countries, especially the western countries.
Now the history seems to be repeating itself, the western countries are trying to conquor China once more by imposing opium in a different form: democracy.
Please remember how the US invaded Iraq with the pretense of promoting "democracy", then killed thousand of thousands innocent Iraqs, and caused the nation to fall into the biggest chaos in its history.
Look at the land we are standing on. It used to belong to millions of happy native Americans hundrads of years ago before the Europeans arrived, then they were killed and their land was taken away.
ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER SINNED CAN CAST THE FIRST STONE.
Leave the Chinese alone. Stop meddling in Chinese internal affairs.
Sirring up trouble bwteen the Chinese and it minority ethnic groups is a conspiracy and scheme by the western countries to weaken the emerging China.
Divide and conquor is a dirty trick, and it is too shallow in modern days

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P. PABLO,kamuela, hi — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:56:16 GMT

Enough,China became important to Americans only as they became more competitive.I only Hope they don't adopt our economic system.that will really put them on a collision course with the EU and the USA.

with regards to the ethnic issue America has nothing to be pround about with regards to history and their treatment of minority groups.Every country today that have sent minority groups have suffered and were discrinted against. Even the native Indians are nearly exterminated.The Hawaiians the native are sttempting a cme back.

America is too Eurocentric, it was not Columbus but the Chinese who first set foot in America. THe age of the Renassiance in Europe was started by the Chinese
IT is not until the record is corrected that we will see a change in attitude about what is occurring in China.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

P. PABLO,kamuela, hi — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:58:20 GMT

Enough,China became important to Americans only as they became more competitive.I only Hope they don't adopt our economic system.that will really put them on a collision course with the EU and the USA.

with regards to the ethnic issue America has nothing to be proud about with regards to history and their treatment of minority groups.Every country today that have sent minority groups have suffered and were discrinted against. Even the native Indians are nearly exterminated.The Hawaiians the native are attempting a come back.

America is too Eurocentric, it was not Columbus but the Chinese who first set foot in America. THe age of the Renassiance in Europe was started by the Chinese
IT is not until the record is corrected that we will see a change in attitude about what is occurring in China.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

jonathan seer — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:58:35 GMT

AS an American I am distressed to hear so many talk about PR China as if it were just another unimportant nation, one that should willingly cut off 1/3 of its territory to satisfy small ethnic minorities. It makes as much sense as the USA letting the Navahos/Dine, Pueblo and Zunis have AZ, NM, NV, UT and CO. AFter all they are still here, still have their own culture, and we can only imagine how much better their lives would be free of the White American yolk right?
China as a great nation (love it or hate it) WILL and MUST take precedence over any other provincial concern within, and compared to the 1.1BILLION Chinese, the need for a few million Mongolians or a few million Tibetans to claim 1/3 of the current PR China seem absurd and ridiculous - just as gifting our Western states to the Native Americans STILL THERE seems silly to us.

With so many of us spouting such hypocritical idiocy, basically expecting PRChina to severe a arm and leg to please our deluded notions of "fairness" its no wonder that Chinese everywhere feel it necessary to NOT trust us and view as an inevitable enemy rather than a potential partner.

The whole notion of any of us, citizens of one of the youngest nations, speaking so haughtily in regards to what the world's oldest continuing civilization/nation should do, telling it to cede 1/3 of its territory to 1% of its population, well is almost impossible to understand, beyond absurd. It's pathetic and laughable.

Tibet before the PRChinese takeover was a hardcore THEOCRACY! Ruled by a pacifist religion, that took 1/3 appox. of the adult menfolk and turned them into priests who did NOT work. They spent their lives worshiping, while the rest of the country paid for that. Women especially suffered. Lamaism is NO different than any other religion. Once given power it became blind to its excesses and all methods ensuring it kept power were legal and used.

Mongolia only exists thanks to Stalin. Otherwise it too would be part of the PRChina. Think about that, before you decide China should cede territory doubling it in size to make 3 million people happy while depriving 1.1billion of part of their nation.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Chris The World Traveller, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:04:58 GMT

Americans speak of democracy which is great. Now look at this: The Dalai Lama is Head of State, Head of its particular brand of Buddhism, Head of Parliament and for some of the followers a God. Where is democracy, which suppose to be a separition between religion and state?

About Ghengis Khan, did you know his mausoleum is in Inner Mongolia at the town of Erdos. Being a fan of Ghenghis Khan and retired,I visited his mausoleum in 2008, very impressive. Erdos is in the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, part of China. I was there with a Han Chinese, the Mongolians were not offended when I asked a few if they are Chinese, since to tell you frankly from most of the time I do not see the difference.

Too bad China always get bashed by people who never been there or only briefly visited. Last year alone I spent 6 months in China and this year already 4 months. China is a peaceful country and has no ambitions to conquer other countries. By the looks of it will most likely safe the world from the financial crisis.
Personnaly I lived 10 years in Asia, 30 years in Europe and 15 years in the US of A. Travelling is my passion.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

john y chu Toronto — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:34:33 GMT

What kind of people will beheads other human beings not known to them, except the victims are mostly non-Muslims; burn people to a crisp; slash them with multiple stab wounds with knives brought to a "Peaceful" demonstration? Please don't tell me they do this because emotions ran high during a "Peaceful" demonstration and decide to cut off the heads of some innocent non-Muslims? What kind of hatred they harbor towards other human kinds?

And you reporters chose not to report this from the hospitals or from the victims or their families; one family of four with only the husband survived; but chose to interview Uighars from the street.(Fortunately I could read other reports). If this kind of things happened in the western world, you think people will just sit like nothing happened? Talk about double standards towards Muslim terrorists?! You don't think we should call this kind of reporting "biased"?

That people from the human rights association talk about human rights of the perpetrators? Not only it's laughable but despicable. Next time when a Terrorist Muslim (as oppose to peaceful Muslims)capture one of the western reporters and threatens to behead them, I'll use the same logic.

This is not a race riot. Nothing to do with policies etc. It's a riot instigated by Muslim terrorists pure & simple. I'll never believe that a rational human being, Muslim or not, no matter how oppressed, will slash an innocent victim so many times till he dies, someone he never met before. This is the kind of hatred and actions that a terrorist will take.

One more thing, whether Tibetans or Uighars, you can argue all you want, whose land it was historically should belong to whom. The reality at this moment, it belongs to China.

100 yrs form now, nobody can say. May be China will break up into 5 or 6 pieces just like the Soviets; may be there's no more Uighars as an entity just like the Crees. At this moment, the lands are not yours! So deal with it, especially the cards you're holding all end up deuces. And don't look to the Western countries for help. They always put their own interests first. You're just their pawns in the Great Game.

If you have any better ideas besides those already put forth, let's discuss them. Obviously CCCP thinks that when you ask them to set up a separate Eastern Turkistan nation, that constitutes "Separatism" - how ignorant could they be? CCCP is not about to listen to you, me(remember 6/4?) or Western reporters, etc. I also don't believe that the situations are so bad for everyone living in Urumgi, that people have to kill or be killed. So put up or shut up.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

HH, Florida — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:16:22 GMT

Something I forgot to mention ...
While I agree the Chinese Government needs to change it's policy, I believe all protestors who turned violent and started to attack and kill innocent bystanders should be punished in accordance with the law. Frustration with the government does NOT give anyone the right to hurt anyone else, even if, as they say, the soldiers randomly fired into the crowd. I can understand if the protestors were fired upon and while they fled, they accidentally trampled upon other people. However, many of the reported injuries sustained by the 184 dead appear to be deliberate bashing of the skull or other parts or the body and infliction of numerous wounds, including some victims who were burnt. The same goes for the Han group who sought revenge on Tuesday. While I understand their anger, I can't condone the violence. "Revenge" will only deepen ethnic divide and hatred. Punishment shouldn't be based on Han v. Uighur; it's the murderers v. non-murderers.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

me, midwest, from a town named after indians that no longer exist — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:23:29 GMT

I see many Chinese people making the argument that Americans have no right to object the destruction of minority populations in Tibet and Uighur regions on the grounds that the Native American population in North American suffered so much during the expansion of our country. Their argument is that we have no moral authority to tell them what to do because we have partaken in similar transgressions in the short history of our country.

I believe that exactly the opposite is the case. It is exactly because we have seen what a tragedy it is to lose a large portion of the native population and culture in our country that we have such a strong aversion to seeing it happen in another part of the world. Unlike in China, there is not a single school child, who at some time during their education does not learn about the tragic events of our countries relationship with the Native American and African American populations.

In American, we know what negative effect the forced settlement, and mass relocation of Native cultures had. Yes, it is ver true that it is a blight on our history. We simply would like to not see China make the same mistakes we did by being culturally insensitive to its minority groups who are feeling choked out by the Han majority.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

Chinese citizen — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:26:38 GMT

Very interesting stories and I am surprised to see so many story-writters, very talented. However, I think we, everyone should mind our own business and should not interfere other countries and people's own business. And of course one should study the true history before making any comments. Without being in China, maybe not even a visit, one is not suitable to say anything good or bad about China or Chinese people. I am sure Chinese people are friendly to everyone who come and visit China, to my own experience and according to my international friends. Nobody can save the world, it will be a peaceful world if everyone, every country really want peace, not just say so. Chinese always want peace and keep a peaceful society, and China is one of the safest country in the world, without worrying being robbed walking on their own streets at night. So I want to share the truth with all of you, who want the truth and peace.

Looking at China unrest from Mongolian perch

OneWhoReads — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:53:24 GMT

Almost every time I read the comments from your news stories, I see the same thing. There are many well educated, well formulated, and well presented arguments. I am always astonished, however, at the mix of ignorant and spiteful comments mixed in. Take for example this gem from jw0025 "Why is the US so keen on stirring up ethinic animosities in other countries?"... Huh? How is this anything to do with the US? C'mon, will you. Or how about this one from kevindatz: " Are you telling me I am rude, Adrienne Mong? Maybe I am, but please educate me how a group of 1.3 billion people are rude." Please. Because they are 1.3 billion strong, they cannot be rude? Now I'm not saying they are or aren't, but what kind of crazy logic is that? It makes me sad. Really, the truth as always lies somewhere in the middle. The Chinese govt DID import a ton of ethnic Han in an effort to change the demographics in the area. And the Uighurs have resisted transforming themselves into a more educated workforce capable of filling the new higher tech and better paying jobs, despite being given some opportunities from the chines govt. The US didn't do anything to cause it or encourage it. People beating each other to death in the streets is because of plain and simple ignorance and hatred, just as it has always been.