Southern Mongolia has been a member of the UNPO since 2004. 

Southern Mongolia is an autonomous region of northern China. Its border includes two-thirds of the length of China’s border with the country of Mongolia.  The people of Southern Mongolia have a strong link to their nomadic heritage, distinct Mongolic language, and deep-rooted cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations. Historically, Southern Mongolian identity was closely tied to the vast steppes and the traditional pastoral lifestyle that defines their way of life. However, rapid urbanization and the large-scale migration of Han Chinese to the region has forced Southern Mongolians to quickly change their livelihoods in recent years, leading to an erosion of traditional nomadic ways of life.

The Southern Mongolian population struggles with systemic marginalization, as their cultural practices, language, and traditional ways of life are often suppressed through enforced and ongoing cultural assimilation policies. The Chinese government’s policies have resulted in the restriction of political expression and cultural autonomy, limiting the Southern Mongolian people’s ability to advocate for their rights and interests effectively. 

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of Southern Mongolia as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from Southern Mongolia. However, the main organization representing the rights of people of Southern Mongolia within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC). You can read more about the SMHRIC here.

Southern Mongolia, often referred to as “Inner Mongolia” within the People’s Republic of China (PRC), includes not only the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region (IMAR) but also areas where Mongolian communities have historically resided across northern China. The term “Southern” or “Uvur” in Mongolian contrasts with “Inner,” which is derived from the Chinese word “Nei,” and has been used to suggest that the region has always been an integral part of China. The Mongolian culture, characterized by its pastoral nomadic traditions, has been increasingly threatened by policies aimed at assimilating the Mongolian population into the dominant Han Chinese culture.

The annexation of Southern Mongolia by the PRC in 1949 marked the beginning of systemic efforts to suppress Mongolian culture and autonomy. Since then, the region has experienced political purges, ethnic cleansing, and cultural assimilation. These actions have resulted in significant economic marginalization and environmental degradation. The Chinese government’s policies, such as large-scale mining projects and forced ecological migration, have further strained the region, displacing traditional herder communities and disrupting their way of life. The extraction of resources has led to widespread environmental damage, exacerbating the struggles of the Mongolian people in preserving their cultural heritage and maintaining their livelihoods.

Since 2020, the situation in Southern Mongolia has deteriorated significantly, echoing the repressive strategies employed in other regions with minority population. The introduction of the “bilingual education” policy in Southern Mongolia, which mandates a reduction of Mongolian language instruction in favor of Mandarin, has been the catalyst for widespread unrest and protests across the region. This policy is perceived as a direct threat to Mongolian cultural identity and linguistic heritage, similar to the policies imposed on Tibetan and Uyghur populations aimed at diluting their cultural uniqueness and forcing assimilation into Han Chinese culture.

The response from Chinese authorities to these protests has been swift and severe. The crackdown included mass detentions, surveillance, and intimidation of activists and their families. Prominent cultural and educational figures who opposed the policy have been targeted, with many disappearing or being detained without due process. The heavy-handed repression in Southern Mongolia is reminiscent of the tactics used in Tibet and East Turkestan, where state surveillance, forced assimilation policies, and cultural suppression have been normalized.

The developments in Southern Mongolia since 2020 serve as a troubling indication that the Chinese government is expanding its repressive model of governance to other regions with significant non-Han populations. The parallels between the experiences of Southern Mongolia, Tibet, and East Turkestan suggest a systematic effort by the Chinese state to homogenize its diverse population, undermining the rights of ethnic minorities to maintain their cultural, linguistic, and religious identities.

This trend of increased repression raises alarms about the future of human rights and cultural preservation in these regions. The international community’s response to these developments is crucial, as continued silence or inaction could embolden further crackdowns. The situation in Southern Mongolia is not just a regional issue but part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored repression that threatens the diversity and cultural richness of China’s ethnic minority regions.

Respecting the right to self-determination for the people of Southern Mongolia is essential for preserving their unique cultural identity, protecting fundamental human rights, and fostering political stability. As seen in regions like Tibet and East Turkestan, the denial of this right leads to systemic repression, cultural erosion, and unrest. By allowing the Mongolian people to manage their own resources and development, self-determination could empower them to protect their environment, promote sustainable economic growth, and contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive society. This approach not only addresses the specific grievances of Southern Mongolia but also sets a positive international precedent for justice and equality.