China and Russia Should Share Strategic Interests in Mongolia: Expert
Beijing, China -Zhang Zhikun, a prominent Chinese commentator and expert on international relations, has argued that China andRussia should work together to share strategic interests in Mongolia, a move he believes would strengthen their position against the United States and its allies.
In an article published on thewebsite Uuyizhixiang, a platform known for its left-leaning political views, Zhang emphasizes the strategic importance of Mongolia, located between China and Russia, and its potential to become a pawn in the geopolitical game between major powers.
The United States is actively trying to win over Mongolia, Zhang writes. Despite its landlocked geography, the US is trying to gain strategic dominanceand control over this country, aiming to drive a wedge between China and Russia. He argues that the US seeks to use Mongolia as a strategic nail to create a sense of strategic unease for both China and Russia.
Zhangacknowledges that both China and Russia have been actively courting Mongolia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting the country and China seeking to deepen its ties. However, he warns against the dangers of a zero-sum approach, where China and Russia compete for influence in Mongolia.
In the current and future strategic period,the relationship between China and Russia in Mongolia should not be about competition but strategic cooperation, Zhang asserts. He proposes three key areas where China and Russia can share strategic interests in Mongolia:
1. Shared Security Space: Zhang argues that Mongolia’s vast territory offers a significant security space for both China and Russia. Hesuggests that the two countries should jointly guarantee Mongolia’s security, while simultaneously drawing a red line against the establishment of US military bases, troop deployments, and military reconnaissance facilities in Mongolia. This, he believes, would effectively eliminate Mongolia’s attempts to balance China and Russia by seeking a third neighbor.
2. Shared Natural Resources: Mongolia possesses abundant natural resources, but lacks the capacity to exploit and process them. Zhang argues that China and Russia should help Mongolia develop its resources, but with the condition that Mongolia abandons any attempts to export these resources to third neighbors through China or Russia. He views this as awin-win situation for all three countries.
3. Shared Geographical Convenience: Mongolia provides the most convenient land route connecting China and Russia. However, this route remains underdeveloped due to Mongolia’s historical aversion to China and Russia. Zhang emphasizes the need for China and Russia to work together to convince Mongolia that providing thisland route is mutually beneficial and will contribute to its development. He suggests that both countries could use Mongolia to expand their land and pipeline transportation infrastructure, creating a shared benefit for all three.
Zhang concludes by stating that managing Mongolia from a strategic perspective is a shared responsibility for China and Russia. He believes that cooperation between the two countries inMongolia will ensure their victory in the geopolitical game against the US and its allies. He suggests a balanced approach of both rewards and punishments towards Mongolia, emphasizing the importance of historical experience in dealing with nomadic peoples.
Zhang’s article reflects a growing trend among Chinese analysts who advocate for closer cooperation between China and Russia, particularly in the face of perceived US pressure. While his views are not necessarily representative of official Chinese policy, they highlight the strategic importance of Mongolia and the growing awareness of the need for China and Russia to coordinate their actions in the region.
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