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Monday, August 25, 2014
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Headlines in Italic are ones modified by Cover Mongolia from original
Mogi: missed this one
Tian Poh Resources Launches A$6m IPO to Fund Mongolian Exploration
August 13 (Business News) Perth-based explorer Tian Poh Resources has launched an initial public offering to raise up to $6 million, to fund exploration and development of its Mongolian assets.
The company's shares will be offered at 20 cents each, with the IPO having a minimum threshold of $2 million.
Around $3.1 million will be spent on exploration if the offer raises the full $6 million, while the remainder will go towards boosting working capital, administration costs and offer expenses.
The company will have a market capitalisation of between $28 million and $32 million following the IPO.
Tian Poh holds the rights to 10 projects covering 125,000 hectares in close proximity to the Oyu Tolgoi and Tavan Tolgoi mining operations.
Its most advanced asset is its Huabei Kuangye coal deposit, which has a 30-year mining licence and is adjacent to the Shinejinst coking coal mine, 300 kilometres from the China-Mongolia Border.
The company is backed by Singapore-based investment firm POH Group, while its board of directors is well experienced in Mongolia.
Tian Poh chief executive Poh Kay Ping said the company was focused on bringing Huabei Kuangye to production and advancing its other coal, gold and copper assets.
"We believe the timing for new shareholders is favourable given Mongolia's shift towards attracting and maintaining foreign investment and its pro-mining initiatives," Mr Poh said.
"We are focused on building the next diversified resources company in Mongolia and believe that our clear pathway to early production, in-country management team and pipeline of exciting and highly prospective assets will set the company up for prolonged growth going forward."
The offer will close September 15.
The IPO is the fifth this calendar year involving a WA-based company, following yesterday's listing of Orthocell after it raised $8 million, and Duketon Mining's $6 million IPO launched in June.
Copper and gold explorer Stavely Minerals debuted on the ASX in May after raising $6.1 million, while financial services firm Pioneer Credit also debuted in May after launching a $40 million IPO in April.
Mogi: another casualty. VOR in suspension pending acquisition announcement. VOR last traded 0.1c on August 18.
Voyager Resources: Shareholder Update
August 22 -- Voyager Resources Limited (VOR or the Company) is pleased to provide shareholders with an update.
As shareholders are aware, the Company has experienced considerable geological exploration success in Mongolia which is a reflection of the strength of the Company's licenses. However, in recent times, inbound investment in Mongolia has been stifled by a generally negative market sentiment. Whilst the Company maintains that its Mongolian assets are of high quality and warrant further investment, it is obvious that further funds for investment in Mongolia will not be made available in the short term.
Understanding this position, the Company announced to the market on 28 October 2013, the acquisition of a portfolio of licenses in the Carajas Region of Para State in Brazil. These acquisitions are significant because they represented a strategic foot print in the world class Carajas Province and they diversified the Company's interests from its sole holdings in Mongolia.
Since the time of the acquisition the Company has continued to review its strategic direction and as a result of that review the Company has determined that no further non-essential expenditure will be made in Mongolia and that a realization process for the Company's Mongolian assets will be pursued and that the Company's strategic direction and focus will be on its Brazilian Carajas Province copper assets.
This decision is by no means a reflection of the quality of the Company's assets nor the work performed in Mongolia but rather an acknowledgement of the investment market and the realities of attracting further capital.
Consistent with its strategic focus the Company has continued to explore further opportunities in Brazil and expects to be in a position to make an announcement in that regard shortly.
The Company's shares will remain suspended until a further announcement is made.
Matthew Wood
Executive Chairman
KRI last traded C$0.36 August 19
Khan Files Third Quarter 2014 Financial Results
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 22, 2014) - Khan Resources Inc. (CSE:KRI) ("Khan" or "the Company") announced today that it has filed its financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the nine months ended June 30, 2014 on SEDAR and has posted these documents to its website www.khanresources.com.
Highlights
· International arbitration action against the Government of Mongolia - All submissions and hearings have now been completed in respect of the international arbitration action against the Government of Mongolia for the illegal expropriation in 2009 of the Company's mining and exploration licenses for the Dornod uranium project in northeastern Mongolia. The hearing on merits and quantum was completed between November 11 and November 15, 2013 and two post-hearing briefs were subsequently submitted; the first on February 5, 2014 followed by a final brief on April 11, 2014. The Tribunal is now in the process of formulating their decision which is expected in the second half of 2014. The amount of damages sought by Khan currently exceeds $350 million.
· Cash - Substantial cash outflows for legal expenses related to the international arbitration came to an end by March 31, 2014. Management is now conserving its cash resources pending the judgment of the
Tribunal. The Company's rate of cash expenditures has declined significantly since April 1, 2014.
· Investments - As at June 30, 2014, Khan held 14.8 million common shares of Macusani Yellowcake Inc. ("Macusani"), which represents 8.8% of the 167.6 million Macusani outstanding common shares. The fair value of the investment at June 30, 2014 was $889,000 - a decrease of $275,000 from the value at September 30, 2013. The decrease was due to a decline in the price of Macusani common shares from $0.075 per share at September 30, 2013 to $0.06 per share at June 30, 2014 and the sale of 700,000 shares during February and March for gross proceeds of $92,000.
· Corporate matters - The Mongolian subsidiaries were closed on September 30, 2013 and all Mongolian tangible assets were retired. The office in Ulaanbaatar was closed on June 30, 2014.
· The following table summarizes financial results of the Company for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
…
Mogi: successful fund raising was I believe the final condition left to go ahead with Auminco Mines acquisition. With this announcement, VKA was reinstated on ASX
Viking Mines: Prospectus Applications Exceed Minimum Subscription Level
August 25 -- Viking Mines Limited ("Viking" or the "Company" - ASX code: "VKA") is pleased to announce that the minimum subscription for its current Prospectus offering of Viking shares and options has been exceeded.
Under its Prospectus dated 18 August 2014 the Company is seeking to raise up to $3,040,000 by the issue of up to 80,000,000 shares at an issue price of $0.038 with 1 option for every 4 shares subscribed for. The options are exercisable at $0.09 at any time on or before 30 April 2017. The minimum subscription level nominated in the Prospectus was $2,090,000.
The Offer is expected to close at 5pm (WST) on Friday, 29 August 2014 and the Company expects further acceptances to be received before then. Advisors to the Company in this matter are Emerald Partners Limited (Emerald) and Inteq Limited.
Viking is a Perth-based ASX listed company with gold exploration projects in Ghana in West Africa. It has received in excess of 97% acceptances for its takeover offer of the coal developer Auminco Mines Limited (Auminco) (Refer announcements of 9 April and 15 May 2014).
The proceeds from the Prospectus will be used to complete the Auminco takeover, to fund exploration and development of its gold and coal assets and for general working capital purposes.
Xanadu Mines: KHDDH347 COMPLETE RESULTS
HIGHLIGHTS
- KHDDH347 intersects significant copper-gold mineralisation including:
o 518m @ 0.41% Cu & 0.41g/t Au (0.67% CuEq) from 146m; including
o 202m @ 0.55% Cu & 0.73g/t Au (1.01% CuEq) from 408m.
- KHDDH347 significant high-grade intervals include:
o 20m @ 0.83% Cu & 0.56g/t Au (1.19% CuEq) from 350m; and
o 79m @ 0.49% Cu & 0.59g/t Au (0.87% CuEq) from 382m; and
o 130m @ 0.63% Cu & 0.82g/t Au (1.15% CuEq) from 484m.
- KHDDH347 includes gold-rich porphyry copper stockwork mineralisation which demonstrates good continuity with the outcropping stockwork mineralisation at the Altan Tolgoi prospect 100m to the west.
KHDDH347 COMPLETE RESULTS
August 25 -- Xanadu Mines Ltd (ASX: XAM – "Xanadu") is pleased to announce the complete assay results forKHDDH347 (50m to the west of KHDDH343 and drilled to a final depth of 704.7m) at the Kharmagtai project. Drill hole details are shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. Assay results are presented in Table 2.
KHDDH347 intersected gold-rich porphyry mineralisation associated with well-developed quartz-chalcopyrite-bornite stockwork veining hosted in epidote-magnetite altered quartz monzodiorite porphyry.
This demonstrates good continuity of the stockwork mineralisation along strike from outcropping stockwork mineralisation at the Altan Tolgoi prospect 100m to the west of KHDDH347.
EAST ALTAN TOLGOI DRILLING UPDATE
KHDDH350, collared 80m to the south of KHDDH343 (Figure 1), intersected visible copper sulphides from a depth of 30m to 575m (end of hole 581.0m, assays pending). The copper sulphide mineralisation predominantly comprises tourmaline breccia-hosted mineralisation hosted in strongly tourmaline-magnetite altered quartz monzodiorite porphyry.
KHDDH351, collared 190m to the east of KHDDH346 (Figure 1), intersected visible copper sulphides from a depth of 208m to 310m (end of hole 488.8m, assays pending). The copper mineralisation is primarily hosted in tourmaline breccias and minor dissemination in strongly potassic altered quartz monzodiorite porphyry.
Two new drill holes have been collared to continue defining the broad zones of high-grade, copper-gold mineralisation (greater than 1% CuEq) hosted at East Altan Tolgoi. The continuous strike length of the entire Altan Tolgoi system has been demonstrated to be over 800m. The prospect remains open to the west, east and at depth.
CNSV closed +2.17% to US$0.47 Friday, +104.4% YTD
Consolidation Services, Inc. submits application with FINRA for name change to Mongolia Holdings, Inc.
August 25 -- The name Mongolia Holdings, Inc. better differentiates the Company's brand and highlights its focus on business opportunities in the rapidly developing nation of Mongolia.
Consolidation Services, Inc. (the "Company"; OTC:CNSV) is pleased to announce that it has filed an application with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for a name change from Consolidation Services, Inc. to Mongolia Holdings, Inc. The new CUSIP number: 60937J 100 was issued to the Company upon submission of its application.
On August 16, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to change the name of the Company to Mongolia Holdings, Inc. At the annual meeting held on November 30, 2012, a majority of the stockholders of the Company's common stock authorized the Board to change the name.
The Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 19, 2014, which was effective that same day.
Company CEO, Gary Kucher, commented: "Management is confident that the name 'Mongolia Holdings, Inc.' will help investors to better identify us with the strategic focus of our business in Mongolia."
For more information, please visit: http://mongoliaholdings.com
About the Company:
Mongolia Holdings, Inc. (formerly Consolidation Services, Inc.), through its wholly owned subsidiary Mongolia Equipment Rental Corporation, is the Hertz Equipment Rental franchisee for Mongolia. This exclusive franchise allows the Company to operate a business of renting, selling and maintaining equipment for use in construction, mining, materials-handling, commercial and industrial activities in Mongolia under the unique plan and system of Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation and Hertz Equipment Rental System.
Mogi: Kincora is a wee bit premature in its press release
Financial losses from 106 revoked mining licenses to be estimated
August 24 (UB Post) Last year, 106 mineral exploration licenses determined to be improperly granted by authorities, including former chairman of the Mineral Resource Authority D. Batkhuyag, were revoked. Companies claiming to have lost huge amounts of money in these projects due to the mistakes of state officials have been asking the government, Parliament and relevant authorities to pay special attention to the dispute and settle it without further damages for former license holders. It was decided that the revoked licenses would be re-tendered in amendments to the Minerals Law approved by the government in July.
Below is an interview with Chief of the Policy Implementation Regulatory Agency of the Ministry of Mining, B.Batkhuu, on the re-tendering process of the 106 licenses.
When will the previously revoked 106 licenses be re-tendered? Can you brief us on the process?
Prior to opening tenders for the 106 license areas, former license holders should have the costs they invested analyzed and insured by our working group. An initial re-tendering price will be determined on the basis of the cost insured, and former license holders and other third parties will re-tender on a competitive tender basis. Accordingly, the Ministry of Mining appointed a working group for this project. As of today, 14 companies have had their initial re-tendering prices determined and tendering for the areas is ready to be launched. Also, the tendering will be announced through public media in accordance with the relevant regulations.
Can you provide more details on the initial tendering price?
The former license holders don't have to place any collateral in an account. However, other third parties have to place 30 percent of the initial tendering price and compete. An evaluation commission will evaluate all the proposals and grant licenses to the selected bidders.
Does that mean the former license holders will receive compensation whether they are selected or not?
According to regulations, bidders will have a chance to compete for tender after placing 30 percent of the initial tendering price. If they are selected, they will have to place the remaining 70 percent in the account. If a former license holder isn't selected, the cost the company previously invested will be returned. In other words, compensation will be granted in either case. If a former license holder is selected, the company can immediately continue its previous exploration work.
Exactly when will the re-tendering begin?
In the first round, re-tendering for areas where initial tendering prices are confirmed will be announced through public media, and companies can gather the required materials and send their proposals within 30 days, according to the relevant law. Subsequently, the evaluation commission will evaluate the proposals and rank them. The company with the highest score will be selected and notified. If a new company is selected, the company will have to deposit the remaining 70 percent of the tendering price, and a license will be granted.
MSE News for August 22: Top 20 +0.59%, MSE ALL +0.11%, Turnover ₮452.2 Million
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, August 22 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Friday, a total of 3 million 736 thousand and 591 shares of 13 JSCs were traded costing 452 million 155 thousand and 579.00 Togrog.
"Genco tour bureau" /3 million 515 thousand and 540 units/, "Mongolia Development" /220 thousand 381 units/, "Bishrelt Industrial" /176/, "Gobi" /139/ and "Remikon" /120 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Genco tour bureau" (MNT 316 million 398 thousand and 600), "Mongolia development" (MNT 132 million 258 thousand and 850), "Darkhan Nekhii" (MNT one million 188 thousand and 200), "Gobi" (MNT one million 98 thousand and 100) and "Bishrelt industrial" (MNT 792 thousand).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 621 billion 970 million 050 thousand and 130. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 16,000.02, of increasing 0.59% against the previous day. The experimental index MSE ALL was 997.08, increasing 0.11% against the previous day.
MSE CEO Receives Khan Investment & Asia Capital & Advisors Representatives
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, August 22 (MONTSAME) Acting director of Mongolian Stock Exchange D.Angar received representatives of "Khan Investment management" and "Asia Capital and Advisors" companies on Friday.
The sides talked about nowadays situation with the Stock Exchange and news products and services that enter the market in frames of a newly enforced law on Stock market, and touched upon matters on promoting this market through investment and on future trends of Stock Exchange.
Khan (Non-Cash Buy ₮1,825 Sell ₮1,845), TDB (Non-Cash Buy ₮1,825 Sell ₮1,845), Golomt (Non-Cash Buy ₮1,825 Sell ₮1,848), XacBank (Non-Cash Buy ₮1,826 Sell ₮1,850), State Bank (Non-Cash Buy ₮1,813 Sell ₮1,848) FX rates
BoM MNT Rates: Friday, August 22 Close
| 8/22 | 8/21 | 8/20 | 8/19 | 8/18 | 8/15 | 8/14 |
USD | 1,847.70 | 1,855.58 | 1,858.68 | 1,859.45 | 1,871.57 | 1,886.67 | 1,897.73 |
EUR | 2,455.13 | 2,463.19 | 2,470.84 | 2,482.46 | 2,505.75 | 2,523.70 | 2,535.46 |
CNY | 300.25 | 301.63 | 302.58 | 302.68 | 304.55 | 306.81 | 308.49 |
GBP | 3,065.61 | 3,078.69 | 3,089.87 | 3,105.47 | 3,131.98 | 3,147.15 | 3,162.66 |
RUB | 51.22 | 51.11 | 51.27 | 51.44 | 51.98 | 52.48 | 52.61 |
August MNT vs USD, CNY Chart:
BoM issues ₮117.6 1-week bills, total outstanding -38.9% to ₮149 billion
August 22 (Bank of Mongolia) BoM issues 1 week bills worth MNT 117.6 billion at a weighted interest rate of 12.0 percent per annum /For previous auctions click here/
Mongolian blogger imprisoned for tweets criticising transport minister
(A group of supporters gathered in Mongolia's capital after Ts. Bat was sentenced to three months in prison Tuesday. Image via @ideruugan on Twitter.)
By Lisa Gardner (@leesebkk)
August 22 (Asian Correspondent) A Mongolian man was sentenced to three months in prison on Tuesday for defaming a high-profile politician on social media.
Ts. Bat (@batengineer), an engineer and blogger, was found guilty on Tuesday of defaming the Minister for Roads and Transport A. Gansukh (@ganaa_gts) via a series of tweets posted last October in relation to the aviation sector.
The case is the first to see a social media user convicted under the country's controversial criminal defamation and libel laws.
In response to the verdict, local press freedom groups have re-issued concerns over a perceived recent increase "in threats, harassment and pressure from authorities" to those expressing their views online.
Khashkhuu Naranjargal, executive director of local press freedom group Globe International briefly described the ruling as "a brutal action… (one) completely against freedom of expression and democratic values."
The case sparked outrage on Twitter, with "#FreeBat" quickly gaining traction online. A small group of tweeters protested in the main square of the capital following the verdict.
The man's sister, Minister for Culture Ts. Oyungerel (@oyunlt), has since described her brother as a "whistleblower" whose imprisonment is "political" in nature.
"My brother is a professional engineer who had a 20-year long career in Mongolian aviation. That's why he knows what's happening in Mongolian aviation and if he doesn't like something, he will express it," the Minister explained.
Via Twitter, Ts. Bat posted just prior to Tuesday's verdict that "the truth always wins."
Minister Gansukh's office has yet to respond to requests for comment on the ruling.
"(This case) sets a very bad precedent against those who express discontent," his sister later explained. "Mongolia is a freedom-fighting country… This is very bad news for Mongolian citizens, for Mongolia's future, and for Mongolian democracy."
Ts. Bat is expected to launch an appeal against the verdict in coming days.
Minister Ts.Oyungerel: Bat's defamation charge is a threat to democracy and free expression
By. B.KHASH-ERDENE and LISA GARDNER
August 24 (UB Post) Minister of Culture Ts.Oyungerel has issued a scathing assessment of the recent libel case which saw her brother, Ts. Bat, imprisoned for some three months for criticizing Transport Minister A.Gansukh on Twitter.
In an exclusive interview with the UB Post, the Culture Minister blasted Minister Gansukh for what she sees as a significant threat to Mongolian democratic values. "[This case] gives a very bad message about Mongolia … We have democracy, we have human rights, that all countries are struggling for. But if we lose it from within, what will we turn into? It is very bad news for Mongolian citizens, for Mongolia's future, for Mongolian democracy."
The minister highlighted a significant deficit in legal protection for those who come forward. "I think that this [case] shows that Mongolia doesn't have any protection for whistleblowers," she said. "It's because of the deficits in the protections of our citizens, this is our misjudgment… My brother is a professional engineer who had a twenty-year long career in Mongolian aviation. That's why he knows what's happening in Mongolian aviation, and if he doesn't like something, he will express it."
Minister Oyungerel believes the case was politically motivated. "If I list all the punishments that (Bat) received over the course of the past two years, we can say that it was political," she says. "Imprisonment is just a culmination of what is happening between the whistleblower and the Minister."
Both the Culture and Transport ministers have come into conflict in the past as a result of her longstanding opposition to the privatization of MIAT, a policy then led by the Transport Minister. "When the Minister of Transport rallied strongly to privatize MIAT a few years ago, I was his main opposition in the Parliament," said Minister Oyungerel.
The minister expressed dismay that her brother received a harsher-than-expected sentence. "I was so shocked to hear that it was imprisonment," she said. "I didn't attend the court hearing, but I did attend the reading of the court verdict. So when the judge read the verdict, she said that the State Prosecutor wanted to issue a fine… But the judge said, 'but because Bat is unemployed, I order imprisonment.' The lower your social status, the harsher the punishment – that was the logic in that verdict."
The minister described the case as "unequal", with Minister Gansukh using his government position as a means of leverage.
"I'm also shocked that the minister filed his complaint on his ministry's letterhead – with the stamp of the Ministry – so that gives him an unequal power against a citizen," Oyungerel said, "a citizen who doesn't have a job, or doesn't have other status, and doesn't have government protection. So I think there's an unequal fight going on, with power being used against citizens' freedom, and I, of course, stand with citizens' rights."
Ts.Bat had been on medical leave when he was fired for speaking out against Gansukh, and his health is frail, according to his sister. "[Bat] is worried about his health, as he has a very strict dietary regime. That regime is now gone because of the prison regime… His condition will quickly deteriorate… His attorney asked if he could be placed in the prison hospital. Today (on Wednesday) I heard that he was moved there."
Support has emerged online for Bat's release, with small protests from the local Twitter community taking place in Chinggis Khan Square earlier in the week, and the hashtag "#FreeBat" receiving increased mentions online.
"Since when is social network deemed as press media. Which law mentions this? #FreeBat," said Twitter user @iTulga.
"If a minister's sibling Bat engineer is arrested, some nobody like us will just go hoop #FreeBAT," said another, @BaagiiJr
Local free expression advocates also expressed their dismay at the ruling. Khashkhuu Naranjargal, executive director of Globe International, described the case as "a brutal action… completely against freedom of expression standards and democratic values."
Transport Minister Gansukh has been publicly tight-lipped about the case since it first began last October. His office could not be reached for comment in relation to the ruling.
Minister Oyungerel also described Mongolia's criminal defamation law as a question of Mongolian democracy. "Since 2000, I have been advocating to decriminalize defamation. But it still hasn't happened that way. Our government actually submitted a draft law – a law on the criminal code – that would decriminalize defamation and libel. But the new law has not been passed yet," she said.
"Minister Gansukh actually signed in support of the new draft as a Cabinet Member. So his philosophy is very different from his signatory, supposedly in support of decriminalizing defamation."
Minister Oyungerel said that she will continue to speak out about the case and on freedom of speech, "On human rights, and on freedom of speech, I have always been outspoken – without the borders of party. I have defended any media, any journalist, without even asking who they are. For me, the right of freedom of speech is a lifetime goal."
Detained PM advisor L.Gansukh sends open letter to leaders
August 24 (UB Post) Prime Minister's advisor L.Gansukh was jailed in Tuv Province on July 29, on suspicion of embezzling 3.6 billion MNT from a local coal project.
L.Gansukh wrote a letter to the President of Mongolia, State General Prosecutor Office, National Human Rights Commission and head of the Democratic Party.
"The Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) defamed and blamed me for embezzling billions of MNT from the 'Coal' project. The advisor's position has no right to make decisions on especially approving and spending money from the budget. The company which advertized the project has no relevance to me and my daughter. The IAAC is trying to connect two irrelevant bank accounts to me," he wrote in the letter.
"I have worked in this project to manage and supervise the cooperation between the state organizations and private companies, in accordance with the Minister ordered. Commissioner Zoljargal of the IAAC gave verdict in accordance with the 273 Clause of the budget allocation and 150 Clause of the Criminal Code, and the court sentenced me to two months in prison."
He also included information about the Coal project.
"Over 163 points for selling coal were established and contracted companies sold a ton of coal for 80,000 MNT, adding all the cost, according to MGLSB LLC," L.Gansukh said.
"From 2013 to 2014, MGLSB LLC lent 800,000 million MNT from the state to pay taxes, bank loans and preparation work for selling coal, which was issued by the state on September, 2013. The company paid the debt separately in December 2013 and February 2014. But the IAAC defamed me by claiming that I have taken all these money for myself."
"Within two years of the Coal project, not a single tugrug was released from the state and the project kept 50 billion MNT in the residents' pockets," he added.
L.Gansukh claimed that the inspectors of the IAAC used many "dirty tricks". He accused the IAAC of spreading false information about him throughout the press media and influencing to social psychology.
According to the Prime Minister's advisor, the commissioner of the IAAC called the advisor to sign documents on July 29 and said it was unnecessary for him to call his attorney on the day that L.Gansukh was jailed.
The commissioner introduced many verdicts and lot of men forced him to be detained for 16 hours, wrote L.Gansukh.
Closer Sino-Mongolia Link to Benefit China's Copper Conc. Imports from Mongolia, SMM Foresees
SHANGHAI, Aug. 25 (SMM) – A closer tie between China and Mongolia is expected to benefit their bilateral trades, which will have a buoyant effect on copper concentrate trades, Shanghai Metals Market believes.
Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a joint declaration with Mongolian President, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, during his visit to Mongolia Aug. 21-22, 2014, to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. SMM prediction is this closer relationship will bode well for cooperation in mining and mineral processing areas between the two countries.
China mainly imports copper concentrate and zinc concentrate from Mongolia, SMM learns, as detailed below:
| Imports from Mongolia (tonne) | Total Imports (tonne) | ||||||
Jul. 2014 | YoY (%) | Jan.-Jul. 2014 | YoY (%) | Jul. 2014 | YoY (%) | Jan.-Jul. 2014 | YoY (%) | |
Copper Concentrate | 108,268 | 124.17 | 461,366 | 56.55 | 901,144 | -3.91 | 6,331,459 | 17.32 |
Zinc Concentrate | 2,517 | 11.32 | 13,975 | -80.99 | 165,599 | -15.09 | 1,107,214 | -6.43 |
Sources: SMM, China Customs
Customs data indicate a 124.17% year-on-year growth in China's copper concentrate imports from Mongolia in July, to 108,268 tonnes, making it the third largest supplier during the month. The country exported 461,366 tonnes of copper concentrate to China during the first seven months, climbing 56.55%, and ranking the fifth among all supplying nations.
Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia which has entered service for one year, will sell a large majority of its concentrate to north China copper smelters due to the proximity to China. Rio Tinto's report shows grades at of copper ore from the Oyu Tolgoi mine are 0.8-0.9%.
However, the ongoing negotiation on taxation between Rio Tinto and Mongolian governments limited copper concentrate shipments from the mine.
SMM also sees slim chance of any sharp rise in TC/RCs for copper concentrate from Mongolia, since the high grades of concentrates from the country's two large copper mine in operation mean the mines are unlikely to budge on prices.
11 Cooperation Agreements Signed Between Chinese, Mongolian Enterprises
By B. Khuder
Ulaanbaatar, August 21 (MONTSAME) Enterprises of the two countries signed Thursday cooperation documents in frames of the state visit of Mr Xi Jinping, the President of the People's Republic of China to Mongolia.
The "Erdenes Mongol" LLC (Mogi: renamed from Erdenes MGL) and the China Railway Engineering Corporation signed a memorandum of mutual understanding on establishing a partnership ties of cooperation. The "Gashuun sukhait" LLC (Mogi: owned 49% Shenhua and MMC, ETT, TT JSC 17% each), the Shenhua Group and the China Development Bank (CDB) signed a general agreement on financing the railway of the Gashuun Sukhait-Gants mod border checkpoint.
General agreements on co-implementing project on building two power station of Aduunchuluun and Nariinsukhait with capability of 300 MWT and 195 MWT was established between the "Mongol Alt" LLC (Mogi: Mongolyn Alt or MAK) and the Harbin Electric International Company Limited; a cooperation contract on a project on constructing 435 km Tavantolgoi and Khangi auro road--between "Nako" LLC and the China Railway Construction Corporation Limited; a memorandum of mutual understanding on constructing the "Erdenetsogt" power station--between the "Erdenetsogt Energy" LLC and the China Power Engineering Consulting Group; and a memorandum on realizing a project on deep processing of coal--between the "Khurmen Energy" LLC and the Kingho Group of Chinese Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region.
Moreover, the "Golden Soya Bean" LLC, the "Khojuuliin ekh" LLC and a China's dairy production company signed a cooperation contract; the "Taliin Mongol Group" LLC and the China's "Kholonbuir Tourism Group" LLC established a cooperation memorandum.
A cooperation memorandum was established between the "Unicon Group" LLC and the China's "Kholonbuir Nun Ken Group" LLC; and a contract on founding the "Emeelt progress" LLC to realize a complex project of agriculture--between the "Erdenet progress" LLC, China's "Dong Yuan" LLC and the Shandong Ayeshan Group.
Chalco Says Erdenes TT Still Honoring Coal Supply Contract
Aug. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Deliveries of coal from Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi's mine in Mongolia to Chalco haven't been affected, Jiang Zhinan, a media official with China's biggest aluminum producer, says by phone from Beijing.
* Jiang declines to comment on the suspension of the Tavan Tolgoi mine
* NOTE: Operations at Mongolia's Tavan Tolgoi coal mine have been suspended amid a disagreement between state-owned mine operator Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi JSC and contractor Macmahon Holdings Ltd.: Related Story
* NOTE: Most of the coal from the mine is delivered to Chalco
(BFW)
Mongolia Gains Access to Eight China Seaports
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, August 22 (MONTSAME) Four memorandums on transportation were signed Thursday by A.Gansukh, the Mongolian Minister of road and transportation, and by Lu Dongfu, the deputy Minister of transportation and chairman of railway agency of China.
They are on a transit transportation of Mongolia to the sea through Chinese territory, on newly establishing the Mongolia-China border railway agreement, on a development of the railway cooperation, and on railway transit transport cooperation.
Other feature is that China has given Mongolia an access to its eight seaports.
Vital deals signed on Xi's trip to Mongolia
Agreements cover the mineral trade, transportation links, energy demand
August 22 (China Daily) China and Mongolia signed more than a dozen key infrastructure and energy cooperation agreements on Thursday aimed at boosting landlocked Mongolia's mineral trade and poor transportation links while meeting China's growing energy demand.
Among 26 cooperation agreements signed on the first day of the first state visit by a Chinese president to Mongolia in more than a decade, 17 cover trade, infrastructure, energy and financial cooperation.
The agreements included a memorandum of understanding on strengthening coal-processing cooperation. Sources close to this said the document states support for a long-expected coal gas project worth $30 billion.
In a joint declaration, the two nations hailed the importance of the coal gas project and backed enterprises from both countries in pushing it forward.
The project would be carried out by Sinopec Group and a Mongolian partner, the sources said.
Dai Bing, director of the coal industry information department at JYD Online Corp, a bulk commodity consultancy in Beijing, said the project would benefit both countries, as Sinopec would bring advanced technology to Mongolia and China would have another important gas supply channel in addition to pipeline gas from Russia.
"Transportation of coal gas is also much cleaner and easier than delilvering coal from Mongolia to China," Dai said.
China's demand for coal has fallen and natural gas consumption has soared in recent years, with the government encouraging clean energy, and determined to reduce carbon emissions.
China's largest coal producer, the Shenhua Group, China Development Bank and Mongolian officials also signed a financing agreement for a rail link to carry coal across the border, from Mongolia's Gashuun Sukhait port to the Gants Mod port in China.
The agreements were signed after extended talks between President Xi Jinping and his Mongolian counterpart Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.
The Mongolian leader referred to Xi as "Mongolia's most distinguished guest" and described his visit as a historic one.
Talks between the two leaders, originally scheduled for 90 minutes, were extended by an hour, with their discussions covering nearly all sectors, Elbegdorj told reporters.
Xi told Elbegdorj that developing relations with Mongolia is a priority for Chinese diplomacy, adding that the two nations should integrate their advantages during cooperation.
"China has the willingness and capacity to help Mongolia translate its advantages into economic development through close cooperation," Xi said.
He proposed a "three-in-one" cooperation model, integrating mineral resources, infrastructure construction and financial cooperation, to help improve Mongolia's limited infrastructure and transportation links with China and cover Mongolia's shortage of capital.
With natural resources worth an estimated $1.3 trillion, Mongolia has not fully tapped its advantages since a law was introduced in 2012 limiting foreign ownership in "strategic" sectors.
Growth is the weakest for four years and inflation is rising. Foreign investment dropped by 70 percent in the first half of the year, according to Bloomberg.
China accounts for more than half of Mongolia's external trade and receives nearly 90 percent of its exports, mainly copper, coal and animal products. Bilateral trade has soared over the past decade, reaching $6 billion last year.
Gao Shumao, former Chinese ambassador to Mongolia, said that having realized the negative effect of the foreign ownership law, which had been revised last year, Mongolia hoped to reverse plummeting foreign investment and revive its economy.
Both sides also signed a deal allowing Mongolia to use six ports in northern and northeastern China for imports and exports. Officials said the ports included Tianjin, Dalian and Jinzhou.
What they said
"We highly value travelers from our neighboring countries, such as China and Russia. ... China and Mongolia, as neighboring countries, are complementary to each other in terms of tourism. I hope President Xi's visit can accelerate the steps of tourism cooperation.
Tsedevdamba Oyungerel, Mongolian minister of culture, sports and tourism
"A quarter of Mongolians are herders or semi-nomadic shepherds, who have been severely influenced by climate change. We hope to strengthen cooperation with China regarding environmental protection. As a prairie city, China's Ordos has had a successful experience against climate change and desertification, which we have long been anxious to learn about. President Xi's trip will focus more on business cooperation than on environmental protection this time, but I firmly believe that a cooperative plan between the two countries will be rolled out in the future."
Oyun Sanjaasuren, Mongolian minister of environment and green development
"Our president has carried out greater effort in fighting against corruption since he took office, like the anti-corruption work that President Xi has pursued during his term. More respect for laws and regulations is one obvious reason that China has developed significantly in recent years. So we legislated heavily against corruption in the past several years. I think the two countries' leaders may launch talks this time to share ideas and jointly facilitate the anti-corruption work for their countries."
C.H. Unurbayar, human rights and legal adviser to the president of Mongolia
"China is trying to achieve the Chinese dream. Mongolia is also at a crucial period of economic development, which indicates that there will be new content in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries."
Qu Xing, president of China Institute of International Studies
"Communicating demands of the peoples of China and Mongolia is the booster to develop bilateral relations. After all, they are the protagonists in the exchanges of various fields. China and Mongolia have played an exemplary role in the border issue. The good-neighborly and friendly relations between the two countries have attracted attention from other neighboring countries."
Gao Shumao, the former Chinese ambassador to Mongolia
"President Xi's visit to Mongolia will continue to promote bilateral strategic cooperation and coordination in international and regional affairs, which will be conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia in the long term."
Huang Jiakui, director of China's Mongolia Research Council
"It is important for Mongolia to ship its coal to overseas markets over the sea. Before this trip, President Xi Jinping has suggested an idea that China should be friendly and open to neighboring countries, which is a wonderful opportunity to develop our cooperation on mineral resources."
Jigjid Rentsendoo, state secretary of Mongolia's Ministry of Mining
List of all 26 documents signed on Xi Jinping's visit to Mongolia
August 22 (business-mongolia.com) Signed documents:
1. Joint Statement on Development of profound strategic partnership relations between Mongolia and People's Republic of China
2. Inter-Governmental Protocol on the performance of the bilateral agreement between Mongolia and People's Republic of China in 1949 – 2012.
3. Cooperation Protocol between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People's Republic of China
4. Protocol on official draft exchange of the Agreement on prisoner transfer between Mongolia and People's Republic of China
5. Inter-Governmental Agreement on "access to the seaport and transit transport"
6. Inter-Governmental General Agreement on development of cooperation of the railway transit transport.
7. Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding on Development of Railway Cooperation.
8. Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Road and Transportation of Mongolia and Railway Authority of People's Republic of China on renewal of the "Mongolia and China Border Railway Agreement"
9. Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Mining of Mongolia and National Development and Innovation Committee of People's Republic of China on cooperation in intensifying coal deep processing
10. Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Economic Development of Mongolia and National Development and Innovation Committee of People's Republic of China on the establishment of Mongolian-Chinese Council of Mineral, Energy and Infrastructure.
11. Medium Term Program to develop trade and economic cooperation between Mongolia and China
12. Inter-Governmental Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation
13. Exchange letter to build the Development Center for Disabled Children in Ulaanbaatar by the Grant Aid of the People's Republic of China
14. Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Economic Development of Mongolia and Ministry of Trade of People's Republic of China on the establishment of Mongolian-Chinese Economic Free Zone.
15. Special Loan Agreement on "E-Health" between Ministry of Economic Development and EXIM Bank of China.
16. Special Loan Agreement on "New Century Education" between Ministry of Economic Development and EXIM Bank of China.
17. Special Loan Agreement on "Procurement of Heavy Tractor" between Ministry of Economic Development and EXIM Bank of China.
18. Agreement on "Mongolia-China Border Port Management Cooperation Commission" between National Council of Border Port of Mongolia and General Customs Office of People's Republic of China on
19. Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia and Ministry of Science and Technology of People's Republic of China on the building state laboratory
20. Agreement between Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia and Ministry of Science and Technology of People's Republic of China scientist exchange program
21. Cultural Exchange Protocol between Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism of Mongolia and Ministry of Culture of People's Republic of China.
22. Swap Agreement of MNT and Yuan between Mongolbank and People's Bank of China.
23. Memorandum of Understanding between Mongolbank and Bank Monitoring Committee of People's Republic of China.
24. Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Oil Authority of Mongolia and National Corporation of Oil of People's Republic of China.
25. 162 million US$ commercial loan agreement between Development Bank of Mongolia and Development Bank of People's Republic of China.
26. Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Economic Development of Mongolia and National Development and Innovation Committee of People's Republic of China on the establishment of Mongolian-Chinese Council of Mineral, Energy and Infrastructure.
China's Xi Upgrades Mongolia Relationship as Trade Links Deepen
By Ting Shi
August 22 (Bloomberg) China upgraded its ties with Mongolia to the level of "a comprehensive strategic partnership," which covers political and security cooperation.
Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mongolian counterpart, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, signed a joint declaration yesterday in which China said it supports Mongolia's proposal to hold a tri-lateral summit with Russia that would "further strengthen cooperation among the three neighbors," according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Mongolia about two weeks later.
Mongolia's southern neighbor has been its largest trading partner and biggest source of foreign investment for more than a decade. Mongolia, sandwiched between China and Russia, is seeking closer ties to take advantage of Chinese investment, while Xi wants more support from his neighbors at international forums as he pursues increased influence in regional affairs.
"The old Soviet legacy that could sustain ties between Russia and Mongolia is still palpable, but economically Ulaanbaatar relies on Beijing more than anybody else," said Cheng Yijun, senior researcher with the Institute of Russian, Eastern European, Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "Mongolia wants to utilize both factors and has no intention to offend either."
China pledged to help Mongolia join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation mechanism and play an active role in East Asian security cooperation. Xi invited Elbegdorj to attend a meeting among China's partners on the sidelines of APEC, due to be held in Beijing in November. China and Mongolia will set up a strategic dialogue mechanism between their foreign ministers and initiate mutual visits in their defense sectors.
"Third Neighbor"
Mongolia, once part of China's empire and later a de-facto Soviet satellite, has been seeking to develop a more balanced strategy it calls the "third neighbor" foreign policy. It entails a plan to boost engagement with its virtual neighbors -- those beyond China and Russia -- including the U.S., the EU, other Asia-Pacific countries and various international organizations.
"The 'third neighbor' approach complicates the trilateral relations between Mongolia, China and Russia, but it also gives Beijing an opportunity to pull Mongolia closer to its pursuit of greater regional clout and win more support in international affairs," Cheng from CASS said.
The joint declaration said the two countries will strengthen cooperation in events sponsored by the United Nations, the Asia-Europe summit, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on the Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. The last one is a new security platform Xi proposed at a regional summit in May.
Dalai Lama
Mongolia canceled a visit by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, which was originally scheduled for late August, according to the Hong Kong Chinese newspaper Takung Pao. The joint declaration says China appreciates Mongolia's "correct stand" on issues related to Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang, and emphasizes that neither country will conduct or participate in any activity that will impair the other's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Xi's visit is the first in 11 years by a Chinese head of state to Mongolia, Xinhua reported, and only his second single-country state visit since he became president in March 2013.
The two countries established "a partnership of mutual trust" in 2003 and elevated the ties to "a strategic partnership" in 2011. The latest upgrade reflects both sides' intention to push the ties "on to a fast track," according to the joint declaration.
Chinese Investment
On the economic front, China agreed to offer sea ports and railway transport access to Mongolia and help finance a number of projects in medical care, education, railroad and residential community construction, according to Xinhua.
China and Mongolia also inked a memorandum of understanding on setting up a bilateral free-trade zone and a deal on currency swaps. Thursday's declaration set a bilateral trade target of $10 billion by 2020, from $6.2 billion last year, according to data by Bloomberg.
Mongolia said it stands ready to join the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative, which was first proposed by Xi in September, and also the construction of an Asian infrastructure investment bank as a founding member.
The agreements will "inject fresh impetus" into trade between China and Mongolia, Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
China, Mongolia work to ease air traffic congestion
BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Civil aviation authorities from China and Mongolia are scheduled to apply the same air traffic control separation standards from Sept. 18.
The move will ease air traffic congestion between Europe and East Asia, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said Sunday in a statement.
Starting on Sept. 18, air traffic control separation standards in Mongolia and northern China will reduce from current 90 km to 30 km, and the two country's civil aviation authorities will sign a new air control agreement, the CAAC said.
According to the CAAC, new separation standards will result in more flights over the Chinese and Mongolian airspace.
Air traffic between Europe and China, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Republic of Korea are expected to become less congested.
International Commercial Arbitration and Investment Treaty Arbitration Under ICC Rules: A Demonstration
Parliament Speaker and UB Mayor meet with Japanese LDP representatives
August 24 (UB Post) On Wednesday, Chairman of the Parliament Z.Enkhbold called on delegates led by the Chairman of the Japanese-Mongolian Friendship Group of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, Motoo Hayashi.
Z.Enkhbold expressed his gratitude for the visit to Mongolia by the three heads of the Japanese-Mongolian Friendship Group. The Chairman of the Parliament underlined that developing bilateral friendly relations with Japan is one of the major goals of Mongolian foreign policy and emphasized that Mongolia places high priority on developing strategic partnership relations with Japan. Z.Enkhbold stated his satisfaction with the economic partnership agreement (EPA) agreed to be established during the Mongolian President's visit to Japan in July. This agreement is believed to take the nations to a new level of strategic partnership.
Motoo Hayashi replied that he is also satisfied that bilateral relations and cooperation, especially strategic relations and economic partnership, are developing well and said that the Japanese side will be pleased to contribute to the Mongolian private sector. He added that the visit by the delegates marked the 40th anniversary of Japanese-Mongolian cultural relations and noted participation in the opening of the joint exhibition of Japanese-Mongolian artists, "Sky, Sun, and Partnership".
The meeting was attended by the following officials: representatives of the Mongolian Friendship Group of Japanese Parliament; Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mongolia Takenori Shimizu; MP, Chairman of the Mongolian-Japanese Parliamentary Group, and DP Leader D.Erdenebat; MP and Deputy Chairman of the DP S.Odontuya; MPs O.Baasankhuu and Su.Batbold; Mongolian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan; Secretariat of the Parliament B.Boldbaatar and others.
The Office of Media and Public Relations of Parliament reports that there are three Japanese-led friendship groups, including the Mongolian Friendship Group at the Privy of the Japanese Parliament, the Friendship Group in the House of Representatives, and group for support of Japanese-Mongolian relations of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Governor of Ulaanbaatar E.Bat-Uul met with delegates led by Japanese Parliamentary Member of the Representative House Issei Koga and shared views on UB's development.
The Governor said, "I appreciate meeting with you and I want to first express my gratitude to the Japanese people, Parliament and MPs for their assistance and support at difficult times. We created the development plan of UB through 2020 and ideas through 2030 thanks to the Japanese Government, and the plan was approved by the Parliament. We need your assistance and support in implementing the long-term plan."
Koga Issei replied, "We can see that UB's development and upgrades are growing quickly. It's important to start good implementation of the general plan, so we will support you."
A shareholder of Suruga Corporation, Jinkyou Hong, attended the meeting and reported to the Governor that the corporation has operating in UB for 12 years and has over 300 Mongolian employees.
The Governor said, "Thank you to Suruga Corporation for providing citizens with quality apartments. I hope that your corporation will contribute to investments in UB from the Japanese private sector. We will support you in legal frameworks."
Closing the meeting, E.Bat-Uul asked for the Japanese government's support on the issue of a UB metro.
China supports Mongolia's entry into APEC
August 22 (Xinhua) China supports Mongolia's bid to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) mechanism, said a joint declaration signed in Ulan Bator on Thursday by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Mongolian counterpart, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj. [Special coverage]
China and Mongolia have been consistently pursuing peace-oriented foreign policies and supporting international cooperation aimed at strengthening peace and security, said the document.
China is willing to see Mongolia play an active role in East Asian cooperation, and backs its efforts to participate in an appropriate manner in East Asia Summits as well as the trilateral cooperation between China, South Korea and Japan, said the declaration.
The two neighbors agreed to enhance communication and coordination in such multilateral organizations and cooperation mechanisms as the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Greater Tumen Initiative.
The two sides will further deepen bilateral contact and coordination on peace, security and development issues in northeast Asia, said the document.
According to the declaration, Mongolia supports China's efforts to restart the Six-Party Talks, and stands ready to join the cooperation programs within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative and the construction of an Asian infrastructure investment bank as a founding member.
China voiced support for Mongolia's proposal to hold a trilateral summit with Russia so as to further strengthen consultation and cooperation among the three neighbors.
Additionally, China said in the declaration that it backs the "Ulaanbaatar Dialogue on Northeast Asian Security" initiative proposed by the Mongolian president.
China is the host of the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, due to be held from Nov. 5 to 11 in Beijing.
Xi arrived in Ulan Bator earlier in the day for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Elbegdorj. It is his second one-country foreign visit since he took office in March last year.
Related:
President Xi welcomes Mongolia to "board China's train of development" – Xinhua, August 22
China-Mongolia trade opportunities abound - Xinhua, August 21
China, Mongolia vow to enhance cultural exchanges - Xinhua, August 21
Spotlight: China keen on making good relations with neighbors – Xinhua, August 24
Xi's Mongolia visit lauded as significant to bilateral ties, regional development – Xinhua, August 23
Xi's Mongolia visit opens new chapter of bilateral ties: FM – Xinhua, August 22
Mongolia treats Chinese president with traditional pageant – Xinhua, August 22
China's development presents more opportunities for Mongolia: Xi – Xinhua, August 22
Chinese president urges Mongolian parliament to endorse bilateral cooperation – Xinhua, August 22
Related:
Xi Jinping: I re-emphasize that China respects the independence, territorial integrity and development choice of Mongolia – business-mongolia.com, August 22
China extends port operation time for Mongolia
August 22 (CCTV) China's General Administration of Customs says that a seasonal port used by China and Mongolia will remain open for a full year in order to handle the increasing commerce between the two countries.
The Ebuduge port mainly handles crude oil between the two countries for just two months a year. Wednesday's announcement extends the port's operation time to 12 months.
Customs data shows the bilateral trade volume at the Ebuduge port was about 500 tons in 2013 and this year reached 56 thousand tons by the end of July.
Xi's Mongolia Trip a Signal to China's Neighbors
Beijing is attempting to improve regional relations in the run up to November's APEC summit.
By Clint Richards, August 22 (The Diplomat) Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Mongolia this week is creating expectation that significant trade deals are likely. Both sides need something. Mongolia needs more investment in its non-agricultural industries (particularly mining) as well as access to foreign markets via Chinese rail. That Xi's visit to Mongolia is a stand-alone excursion rather than a multi-country tour shows how important this visit is to Beijing, and what it may possibly hope to accomplish in November.
While Mongolia remains worried about Beijing's dominance of its economy, which accounts for 90 percent of its exports (mainly in coal and copper), it has little choice, with most export markets requiring at least transit through China. Bilateral trade has expanded from $324 million in 2002 to almost $6 billion in 2013, and Xi has proposed increasing it to $10 billion by 2020, according to Xinhua. As Mongolia's economic growth has slowed from 11.7 percent in 2013 to 5.3 percent in the first six months of 2014, it may be persuaded to allow greater Chinese investment in the mining sector, despite previously blocking deals to buy large stakes in companies like mining firm SouthGobi Resources. Mongolia also needs investment in infrastructure, and its official policy seeks to balance Chinese and Russian interests with "third neighbors." According to senior analyst Neil Ashdown at IHS Country Risk, a rail transit agreement is the most likely outcome of Xi's current visit, as this would satisfy Mongolia's needs for infrastructure while further attaching it to Chinese markets.
Aside from the economic benefits of increased trade, Xi is also looking to make this meeting a showcase of how doing business with China will "promote stable relations with neighboring countries and bolster China's influence," according to the Nikkei Asian Review. Despite declaring this to be his policy last fall, territorial disputes in the East China Sea and South China Sea with most of its maritime neighbors have created a regional backlash against China.
However, Xi now appears interested in mending some of those ties, particularly before playing host to many of these countries at this November's APEC summit. Japan has already expressed an interest in improving relations, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe repeatedly requesting a summit with Xi. China may also be ready to temporarily thaw ties, as it allowed its foreign minister to meet his counterpart at the most recent ASEAN summit in Myanmar, and Xi reportedly expressed interest in better relations after quietly meeting former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda last month. Countries like Vietnam and the Philippines will likely require more incentives and indications of cooperation over territorial issues before relations warm with China. As yet, it remains to be seen what China will do beyond checkbook diplomacy to reduce tension.
China and Mongolia are neighbors, friends, and partners
By Wang Xiaolong, Chinese Ambassador in Mongolia
August 22 (People's Daily) A special group of guests visited Mongolia recently. These guests were 100 children from the area of Fushun which was flooded in 2013. They were invited by the Mongolian government to take a vacation in Mongolia. The government of Mongolia also issued invitations to children after the Wenchuan Earthquake and Yushu Earthquake. Children came to Mongolia, met some of the leaders, and spent an unforgettable week. A teacher told me that they felt very upset when they saw how their neighbors were suffering. "I am so happy that I can do something for the kids," she said.
Last summer, I was driving with colleagues to visit the west of Mongolia. On the road, a length of rusty iron wire became coiled around the front axle. While we were taking turns to get under the car and pull the wire out, a flock of sheep arrived with a Mongolian man on a horse following behind. When he heard about our situation, he got off the horse and climbed under the car to help us remove the wire, completely forgetting about his sheep. After three hours, the problem was finally solved. Everyone was covered with dirt, and our hands were all raw. We started talking and found that the man who had helped us was a herdsman called Otgon. He told us he was planning to send his daughter to China for her higher education. One of my colleagues helped him to round up his sheep again. When he returned Otgon's whip, the herder was happy. He said to us in raw Chinese before he left: "China, Friends, Bye."
Another incident also occurred last year when I was visiting a Chinese mining company in Sükhbaatar province. The company was the biggest taxpayer in that region, and almost 90% of its staff were locals. That day I visited the home of the director of the company's electricity department, a man called Bayaer. His wife also worked for the company. Bayaer kept telling us how their life had improved after he started working for the company. I remember his exact words:"China is a good partner and a friend of Mongolia, and so are Chinese companies. We hope our friendship can become stronger, together with our homeland."
China and Mongolia are good neighbors, friends and partners. The two countries share a border of 4710 kilometers (2927 miles), which is the longest shared border for both countries. The economic structures of two countries are highly complementary, and China has been Mongolia's biggest trade partner and investor for 10 ten years. The peoples of the two countries share a deep friendship and are involved in close exchanges.
Most of the people in Mongolia consider China as a good neighbor, partner and friend, and sincerely hope that the cooperative relationship with China will help them to build better lives. The visit of President Xi Jinping has attracted attention for several days. Everyone in Mongolia is expecting that this visit will contribute to a better China-Mongolia relationship, and a better Mongolia.
This article is edited and translated from《中蒙是好邻居、好朋友、好伙伴（大使随笔）》，source: People's Daily，author: Wang Xiaolong
Chinese President Xi speaks at Mongolian parliament
August 22 (CCTV America) --
Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a two-day state visit Friday with an address at the Great Hural, Mongolia's parliament. CCTV-America's Jin Yingqiao reports.
"We will uphold the guidelines of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy," Xi said.
Watch a replay of President Xi's speech
Xi said that China would always respect Mongolia's independence, territorial integrity and right to make its own decisions.
China's president is the country's first head of state to visit Mongolia in 11 years, emphasizing the growing ties between the two nations. Mongolians are now looking to China to help lift their ailing economy amid a sharp decline in foreign investment and delays in exploiting the country's abundance of coal, copper and other mineral resources.
The Chinese President and his Mongolian counterpart, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, signed a joint declaration on Thursday to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. They both pledged to almost double their annual two-way trade to $10 billion by 2020, while Beijing agreed to give Mongolia access to ports in its north and northeast from which to export its resources.
China accounts for more than half of the country's external trade and receives almost 90 percent of its exports, mainly copper, coal and animal products, while supplying 37 percent of its imports. Bilateral trade has soared over the past decade, reaching $6 billion last year.
Despite those economic ties, Mongolia has been resolute in treading its own political path. In the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet empire and loss of subsidies from Moscow, Mongolia transitioned into a democracy and a market economy and adopted a "third neighbor" policy to court nations like the United States and Japan and reduce its reliance on its two giant neighbors.
Complete transcript of Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech to the Mongolian parliament
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CCTV coverage:
Assistant Researcher Su Xiaohui of China Institute of International Studies, August 23
President Xi Concludes Mongolia State Visit, August 23
Dialogue: China-Mongolia ties in new era, August 22
Ministers sign Mongolia-China prisoner transfer agreement
August 22 (news.mn) The Justice Minister of Mongolia and Foreign Affairs Minister of China Wang Yi signed a prisoner transfer agreement on August 21st.
During the visit by China's President Xi Jinping to Mongolia, significant talks and agreements on economy and legislation were expected to be signed.
Justice Minister of Mongolia Kh.Temuujin and Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi signed "Protocol on Exchange of Note on Agreement on Transfer of Prisoners Between Mongolia and China."
The agreement will be effective in 30 days, on September 20, 2014.
There are approximately 40 Mongolian nationals jailed in China. Thirty-two were sentenced for cases involving marijuana.
China's Xi elbows out Dalai Lama from planned Mongolia visit
Aug 21 (TibetanReview.net) – A planned August visit by Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to Mongolia's capital Ulan Bator was cancelled due to the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping was also visiting the country, reported Kyodo News International, citing multiple sources. Xi's visit takes place over Aug 21-22.
Preparations were reported to have been on since the beginning of this year for the Dalai Lama to visit the country to confer a Kalachakra empowerment, one of the most important mass rituals in Tibetan Buddhism, to a large crowd of devotees. He previously conferred one in the country in Aug 1995 to a crowd of 30,000 followers.
The report cited sources as saying preparations for what was to be his ninth visit to the country since 1979 were suspended after a plan for China's leader to visit Mongolia the same month emerged and began to take shape. The Dalai Lama's last visited Mongolia, the majority of whose population follows Tibetan Buddhism, in Nov 2011, drawing protests from China.
The report said Xi was invited by Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj to visit his country at an early date when the two met in Shanghai last May on the sidelines of a regional meeting. During that meeting, China's official Xinhua News Agency quoted Xi as having told his Mongolian counterpart that as good neighbours and partners, the two countries should support each other's "core interests and major concerns." It also cited Elbegdorj as having responded by saying Mongolia would continue to firmly support China on Tibet-related issues and Taiwan-related issues, both of which China consider as "core interests".
Xi was reported to have described the two countries' economies as highly complementary and expressed China's willingness to promote Mongolia's mineral resources exploitation and infrastructure construction, while extending financial cooperation and encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest in Mongolia.
The report said Mongolia's Foreign Ministry had not commented on the Dalai Lama's visit plan, except to say visits by religious leaders had nothing to do with the work of government. However, it cited multiple sources as saying the government, under pressure from China, had requested Tibetan Buddhist circles in the country to cancel the planned events.
Landlocked Mongolia is highly dependent on China for the export of its rich mineral resources and for Chinese investment.
Mongolia issues special post stamp to commemorate Xi Jinping's visit
August 22 (news.mn) Mongol Post (Mongol Shuudan) has issued a special stamp to commemorate the state visit of China's President Xi Jinping to Mongolia.
The new stamp was released in an edition of 10,000.
2014 has been announced as the Year of Mongolia-China Friendly Exchanges, on the occasion of the 65thanniversary of diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of the amendment to the China-Mongolia Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.
The visit by China's President Xi Jinping to Mongolia is praised as a historic visit that will lead bilateral relations and cooperation between Mongolia and China to a new level, and expand and define strategic perspectives from both parties.
Related:
Postage Stamp Printed for Historic State Visit – Montsame, August 22
S. Korean FM to visit Mongolia this week
SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's foreign minister will visit Mongolia this week to discuss the promotion of the countries' bilateral strategic partnership and the situation in Northeast Asia, the government said Monday.
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se will depart for Mongolia later in the day for a three-day visit, during which he will hold a meeting with his Mongolian counterpart Luvsanvandan Bold, Seoul's foreign ministry said.
They are expected to discuss how to enhance their strategic partnership as well as exchange views about issues in Northeast Asia including North Korea's nuclear threat, it added.
Yun is likely to seek cooperation from Mongolia for Seoul's main pillars of foreign policy -- "the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative" and "the Eurasia Initiative" -- and discuss ways to strengthen bilateral trade, it noted.
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
Social, Environmental and Other
Ice Bucket Challenge fever reaches Mongolia
By Nomin-Erdene Tumennasan
August 22 (Mongolian Economy) The "Ice Bucket Challenge" – a viral trend – has finally reached Mongolia as thousands of people worldwide dump buckets of ice water over their heads in order to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. For those of you who are not aware of what ALS is, ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that rapidly weakens the muscles, disabling most of its victims from having the ability to walk or even speak. Many of those who suffer from this disease fail to control all voluntary movement throughout their bodies. As the degeneration of motor neurons progresses, patients can become completely paralyzed, often times leading to their death.
Today, there is not cure or treatment to stop or reverse the damaging effects of ALS, hence why research and development is necessary in order to develop a method that will be able to save thousands of lives. On average, an ALS patient has between two to five years of life expectancy and this disease occurs worldwide. This is where the "Ice Bucket Challenge" comes in. The framework of this challenge is that once an individual is elected to participate, that individual must either pour a bucket of ice water over their heads or make a donation, usually USD 100, to the ALS Association within the span of 24 hours.
Thousands of people argue that the "Ice Bucket Challenge" does nothing to help ALS, but that's where they are confusion arises. With the start of the challenge, donations have skyrocketed. Last year, the ALS Association gained around USD 15 thousand, yet during the same period this year, the association has received over USD 15 million in donations, with an astounding USD 8.6 million in one day.
With the spread of thousands of videos all around the world, people have become more aware of ALS and what it means. In fact, many opt to do the challenge and donate, though many accuse people of pouring ice water over their heads to avoid contributing to the association. This campaign has effectively raised awareness and support for ALS. In fact, in the span of 15 days, the ALS Association received a total of USD 4 million after over 1.2 million videos have been shared.
The nature of the challenge is simple: To raise awareness. It did just that. There will always be pros and cons to any activity that goes viral, although much better than the Pass Out Challenge or the Fire Challenge, both of which are dangerous acts that people are supposed to find amusing. There is no denying the amount of money the association has received and a large part of it is due to the "Ice Bucket Challenge."
Even celebrities have been catching on to this viral trend including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Justin Timberlake and Taylor Swift. The audience and participants of the "Ice Bucket Challenge" is increasing at rapid levels. The trend has reached all corners of the world as individuals in developing countries hop onto the bandwagon.
Needless to say, the "Ice Bucket Challenge" has garnered attention from all around the world. Those who believe that it is a great idea show be aware that this challenge is to raise awareness for ALS. It's not just for entertainment, although it certainly provides a high level of amusement for all those watching the videos. A clever gimmick turned out to be just what ALS needed in order to raise money that will gear towards research and development to further treatment opportunities for ALS patients.
Tiger Street Football 2014 Mongolia Tournament postponed to later date
August 22 (FourFourTwo) The Mongolia leg of the Tiger Street 2014 tournament originally scheduled for August 23 in Ulaanbaatar has now been postponed to a later date.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, tournament ambassador Deco had to fly back to Brazil to attend an urgent family matter, and was therefore unable to attend the event this weekend.
While an announcement will be made on a rescheduled tournament date shortly, the Singapore leg is expected to remain unchanged on September 6.
The Grand Final will be contested in the Lion City to decide the Tiger Street Football 2014 Champions, along with a mouth-watering clash scheduled between Deco's Star Selection and Team Deco, comprising of Deco and four Portuguese mates.
Meanwhile, Deco offered his heartfelt apologies in a personal video to fans and promised to return soon to resume his duties.
Video: Message from Deco
Mongolia's lost secrets in pictures: the last Tuvan shaman
by DAVID BAXENDALE
August 21 (Lonely Planet) The high Altai Mountains region of far western Mongolia is a wild, dramatic and exhilarating land where eagles circling overhead are commonplace and glacier-ravaged mountains and ridges soar above 4100 metres. Tucked away in this remote corner of the world, near the borders of China, Kazakhstan and Russia, the animistic Tuvan nomads live much as they have for centuries, their existence free from cars and the frenetic pace of modern humanity.
In July 2014, Lonely Planet contributor David Baxendale visited and lived alongside Galba, the last living shaman of the Mongolian Tuvans. He was among the first outsiders to ever visit the area, including Galba's most sacred waterfall and her birthplace at a spiritual tree near the Chinese border.
It's estimated that there are only around 3000 surviving Tuvan people left in Mongolia. Historically known as the Uriankhai, the ethnically-Turkic Tuvans live a nomadic lifestyle herding yaks, goats, sheep and cattle and living in felt-covered ger tents. They typically move every three months to find new grazing for their livestock. Life here isn't easy: in winter, average temperatures regularly fall below -40°C.
Galba, considered to be the last of the shamans among this people, performs rituals at sites in the valley where the presence of spirits is most strongly felt.
RELATED ARTICLE: A clockwise tour of eastern Mongolia
It's a three-day drive from the last town in the western part of Mongolia, Ulgii, to arrive at the nomads' home, Khara Airikh, or 'Black River Valley'. A ridge, 2100 metres above sea level, runs across the top of the valley, offering expansive views of the barren landscape and the nomads' ger tents.
The shaman lives with a small group of family members in a ger at the head of the Black River Valley, just a few miles from the border with China, at an altitude of over 1800 metres.
There is no public transportation–getting here involves rough overland travel. Ex–Russian military 4x4 vehicles are the best way to pack in the large amounts of gear needed for this difficult-to-access part of Mongolia.
For the nomads, riding horses is a way of life and in some cases serves as their only mode of transportation across the vast, open landscape. Tuvan culture is grounded in respect for nature and they believe that every part of nature has a spirit that weaves the fabric of the world.
For Tuvans, the people most sensitive to the spirits of the natural world are shamans. Often born with this hereditary gift, shamans are able to divine, heal and conduct the rituals necessary for Tuvan life. They are the most respected, and feared, members of the community.
In order to communicate with spirits, a shaman must visit a place considered to be sacred, such as a secret waterfall tucked away in a corner the Altai Mountains. The shaman Galba considers this particular spot one of the most sacred places she knows.
It is a shaman's job to communicate with and interpret the spirits in the natural world, including trees, rocks and rivers. In order to do this, a drumming ritual is performed. The ritual is similar each time – an ancient process to allow the shaman to communicate with the spirits she senses around her.
To perform the ritual, animal skins and furs are laid down and the area is sprinkled with blessed water. A small bunch of spruce twigs are set aflame as the shaman sings softly. After the flames die down, she lays the smoking sticks on the ground next to the furs and beats a traditional drum for several minutes, still singing in a trancelike state.
The journey from Black River Valley to Galba's birthplace passes through the verdant Snake Valley before reaching 2000-metre altitudes at Khoton Lake, along the border of China's Xinjiang province.
In Snake Valley, a stone statue stands alone on the grassland, serving as a memorial to a Turkish warrior who was buried here more than 2000 years ago.
Nearby, the shaman senses the presence of natural spirits in a 3000-year-old burial mound and takes more than two hours to communicate with them in silence. Sadly, just days after the author's visit, the last living Tuvan shaman, Galba, passed away.
This is the first of a three-part photo series on Mongolian nomadic groups.
David Baxendale is a travel photographer based in Glasgow. David travelled to Altai Mountains in western Mongolia from 29 June to 15 July 2014 with the crew and fixers who worked on BBC's Human Planet series. Find out more about David on his website or follow him on Twitter @bax52.
Sage advice for allergy season
August 24 (UB Post) With the change in seasons, people across the country suffer from plant allergies. We spoke with Dr. S.Yanjmaa, a dermatologist and allergy specialist with the National Dermatology Center about allergens and treating symptoms.
Plant allergies get worse at this time of year. Can you tell us why?
Allergic diseases are called development diseases, because allergies are connected to urbanization, industrialization, and population density. Allergies are not only a Mongolian issue, they affect the whole world. Allergies are divided into two groups: allergens that are inhaled and those that affect the skin. Inhaled allergens are sensitive to the seasons.
The number of people who are allergic to pollen and dust increases during the warm season. Woody plant allergies start from the middle of April to the beginning of June, segmented plant allergies begin from June 1 to the end of July, and weed allergies start in the middle of July.
Skin prick testing has to be done in order to know what types of allergies you have, but this test is prohibited for some people, such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children. After taking the test, doctors will give instructions on what medicines have to be taken.
Unfortunately, people buy medicines and drops from the pharmacy without receiving any advice from doctors. This causes negative effects in medical treatment and some difficulties. So, patients have to take advice from professional doctors.
What steps have to be followed to avoid allergy symptoms?
This issue is a really broad concept. City improvement organizations and residents have to cooperate to avoid allergies. For instance, the proper trees and shrubs have to be planted, and weed elimination has to start before July 1, because extinguishing weeds after they've flowered leads to more people experiencing allergy symptoms, and they can't be prevented. Doctors advise avoiding the elimination of weeds after they've flowered.
You mentioned that a skin test is not available for children. So, in this case, what measures should be taken?
First of all, parents must warn their children not to play in or pick up grass and plants. Also, children have to avoid carbonated beverages, yellow-colored beverages and fruits, spicy plants and flavoring.
Naphazoline nose drops are frequently used in the treatment of allergies. Is this a good choice?
Even though these drops treat blocked nasal passages, it narrows blood vessels in the nose, and after prolonged use it negatively effects mucus production. The following symptoms can arise: loss of sense of smell, bloody noses and sneezing without the influence of allergens.
How many kinds of weeds exist in Mongolia?
Over 50 wormweeds exist in our country and put city residents at risk for allergies. Most of our patients are under 40. This year, drastic reactions to plant allergies have been few, but there are a number of people who have drastic reactions to sun exposure. People have to protect themselves from the sun very well, but in the city, protection from dust is really difficult even if people wear masks. A campaign to eliminate weeds has to be conducted in the future.
Is this true that allergies can become asthma when they get worse?
If an allergy is treated incorrectly or isn't treated for a long time, it can become asthma.
People use grasshopper remedies and smell burning weeds. Are these reliable methods to treating allergy symptoms?
There are naturally occurring chemical substances in grasshoppers and it has been observed that using a grasshopper remedy can be useful if patients use it before an allergy breaks out.
But burning weeds and smelling them causes more difficulties.
How are allergies treated in Mongolia?
One standard is used all over the world. A more suitable treatment is antioxidants used for treating allergy symptoms and drops used based on a patient's condition.
Does a poor immune system experience more allergies?
An allergy is created from the immune system's excessive reaction to an allergen. A more activated immune system can aggravate a patient's condition. Even though a poor immune system can be the basis of all pains, it can be accelerated by an allergy. The most important thing for balancing the immune system is a healthy environment, food and relaxation.
Can you suggest anything else for our readers?
Vitamins can be used before allergy symptoms have risen, but they are unnecessary when symptoms have already broken out. When the warm season comes, people's diets change. Mongolians consume excessive amounts of airag and vodkas. These irritate allergies. Consuming healthy food and practicing relaxation are essential to healing allergies.
Source: http://mnb.mn/v/29233
Mogi: interning at SkyPath
U.Bilguun: Knowing that Mongolians studied in top American universities gave me a lot of encouragement
August 24 (UB Post) The following is an interesting interview with a Mongolian Harvard University student, Bilguun Ulammandakh, who's majoring in politics and economics.
U.Bilguun has many readers on his blog. When his "Advice for Learning English Language" was published on iKon.mn, over 10,000 people shared it on social media and some 60,000 people read his blog.
He is considered by many to be a young man who will accomplish great things in the future.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Bilguun Ulammandakh. I was born in Slovakia, lived there for around ten years, and came to Mongolia in 2002. I studied at School No.23 until eighth grade, transferred to Hobby School, and enrolled in Harvard University after graduating. Now, I'm in my fourth year, studying economics and politics.
Harvard University doesn't force students to choose their profession in the first year. This must give a better opportunity to choose the right profession?
Indeed. Not many young people know what they want to do for the rest of their lives even when it's time to enroll in universities. Particularly, there are people with many interests. Taking this to account in America, freshmen are given opportunities to choose a variety of subjects and decide their future profession.
This opportunity was very important for me since I have many interests. I wasn't absolutely sure of which sector to choose. I mainly chose linguistic lessons and realized it wasn't for me and decided on politics and economics.
You speak six languages. Which languages are they?
I was born in Slovakia so I know Slovak. In middle school, I learnt English and Russian. At Harvard University, I got interested in French and went to France. I also learned Chinese for two years and went to a two-month Chinese language course during summer holiday and lastly, Mongolian.
Many people dream of studying in America's top universities visit your blog for advice. What's your initial advice to them?
Many people asked me the same question and I give the same answer. I started a blog and told my readers to clarify things if they don't understand something on my blog.
Primarily, I tell people to increase their English language skills. If your English is good, filling out an application form is easy. There are many intelligent young people in Mongolia. They probably only have language difficulties.
How many Mongolian students are there in Harvard University?
When I first enrolled, there were only two Mongolians, who were accepted after studying in the USA.
Later, I wrote about how I entered Harvard University on my blog and many were inspired. A student from Hobby School enrolled in the following year that I got accepted and two students in the next year. Now, including me, there are four students in bachelor programs.
Will you proceed for a master's degree?
I'm planning to work for few years after graduating and then, study for a master's degree. I think it's better to get work experience before studying for a master's degree.
I haven't decided where to work but I will work and live in Mongolia in the future.
Can you elaborate on your summer job during your holiday?
I'm doing internship in two organizations. One is a company named SkyPath Partners for finance, strategy and management consulting, and investment services. As I don't have any work experience, I'm starting everything from the beginning as an assistant worker.
The second place is Think Tank, a national institute for research and advocacy on political strategy. It publicizes researches and affects governors. I assist in the organization's research works.
Why did you decide to work for these two organizations?
I inquired about many organizations when I came to Mongolian in the summer. The workers at SkyPath Partners LLC are exceptionally experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled and I liked them.
The company didn't take interns but after pestering the CEO and giving an interview, I was finally accepted. The person who actually persuaded the CEO was a former-graduate of Hobby School, G.Batzul, who works there.
The CEO is a man who used to lead the Oyu Tolgoi project, Cameron McRae. He is participating in establishing a national institute for strategic studies and asked me if I wanted to join. I accepted the offer.
You started reading in English at the age of ten. How did you develop your reading habits?
Everyone knows the advantages of reading like expanding your knowledge and enhancing language skills. When most people start reading, they get bored and lazy. I was just like that.
I started to like reading books because of Harry Potter series. I reread all the chapters in Slovakia. When I came to Mongolia, nobody had heard of the books. I felt unfortunate that this amazing book wasn't known to others and tried to translate it into Mongolian.
After, I read The Lord of the Rings and began reading tricky books. Like so, begin reading simple and interesting books and work your way to more difficult ones. Now, I'm reading Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, about how the brain functions.
In addition to studying politics and economy, I'm interested in brain science and philosophy.
In your opinion, are centers for providing information about foreign universities working adequately? How did you overcome such difficulties? Did you get any help from someone?
Initially, I didn't know how to apply to foreign universities or what to do. I got interested in seventh and eighth grade.
In eighth grade, I told my foreign teacher that I wanted to study in a top American university but couldn't pay the tuition or submit application forms. The teacher consulted on what I should do, which websites to visit, and that I needed to give SATs. Summer holiday started and I collected the basic information from websites and researched about enrolling into the best university.
I realized I needed to score high in SATs, be active in community work, and have excellent marks on all subjects. I worked hard in tenth and eleventh grade. Knowing that few Mongolians studied in top American universities gave me a lot of encouragement. Later, I applied to USAP program of the Educational Advising and Resource Center, which provides excellent information.
How did you manage tuition issues for studying at Harvard?
The university provides scholarships consistent to family income and capability. If you're accepted to Harvard University and your family's annual income is less than 70,000 USD, all your expense is paid by the university.
On Twitter, you said that you were walking to work. Do you work besides studying?
Last summer, I did a research work at Harvard Business School for three months. After that, I went to India to do another research work. I mainly work as an assistant for research works of professors.
Did you have problems finding your true self from among many students of different nationalities at Harvard?
I became considerably confident after participating in many activities and achieving success in high school. I thought I was rather capable. When I went to Harvard University, everyone studying there were the best and I started to fear. On the first lessons, I was given assignments to write ten-page long essays. I had never done this sort of assignments in Mongolia but majority of my friends had completed such tasks before. Like so, I faced many obstacles which I didn't know or couldn't do at first. Every time, I got plenty of help from professors.
The first year finished in this manner. I didn't have subjects which I felt were challenging in high school. I used to sail through my homework. I was urged to push myself when I came to Harvard. I got many great practices from my friends.
When will you graduate?
I'll graduate in December. I was supposed to graduate earlier but I had to delay my graduation as I took a leave to travel.
Where did you travel to?
I went from Boston to Hawaii. I stayed there for a week and went to New Zealand to practice meditation and hike for 20 days.
I traveled alone but it was a wonderful trip where I got to meet many new people. From New Zealand, I flew to Singapore and spent quite a long time there.
You must enjoy traveling. Can you tell us where you've traveled to?
After finishing my first year at the university, I attended a two months language course in Paris. During the weekends of this period, I toured many amazing countries such as Italy and Spain. When I finished my second year, I went to Beijing to learn Chinese for two months and visited large cities in China. Last year, I traveled around the big cities in America.
Where do you get traveling expenses?
I try to work it out with my work salary. When I really don't have enough, I ask for help from my parents.
Can you share your dreams?
I wish to contribute in Mongolia's development.
Obviously, I want to be able to think that my life has been satisfactory and productive when I recall my life. This is the gist of it. I don't have any detailed plans yet. I'm still a young man, I'll be graduating soon. Anyway, I plan to spend my youth in the business sector.
Source: http://www.ikon.mn/n/8×0
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