Jump to content

Inner Mongolia

Coordinates: 44°N 113°E / 44°N 113°E / 44; 113
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Wahid145 (talk | contribs) at 22:33, 5 July 2021. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
内蒙古自治区 (Chinese)
(Mongolian)
Autonomous region
Name transcription(s)
 • Chinese内蒙古自治区 (Nèiménggǔ zìzhìqū)
 • AbbreviationNM / 蒙 (Méng)
 • Mongolian
(clockwise from top)
Map showing the location of Inner Mongolia
Map showing the location of Inner Mongolia
Coordinates: 44°N 113°E / 44°N 113°E / 44; 113
CountryChina
Named for内, nèi – "Inner"
蒙古, ménggǔ – "Mongolia"
Lit. "Inner Mongolia"
CapitalHohhot
Largest cityBaotou
Divisions12 prefectures, 101 counties, 1425 townships
Government
 • TypeAutonomous region
 • BodyInner Mongolia Autonomous Regional People's Congress
 • CCP SecretaryShi Taifeng
 • Congress chairmanShi Taifeng
 • Gov't ChairwomanBu Xiaolin
 • CPPCC chairmanLi Xiuling
Area
[1]
 • Total1,183,000 km2 (457,000 sq mi)
 • Rank3rd
Highest elevation
(Main Peak, Helan Mountains[2])
3,556 m (11,667 ft)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total24,049,155
 • Rank23rd
 • Density20/km2 (53/sq mi)
  • Rank28th
Demographics
 • Ethnic compositionHan – 79%
Mongol – 17%
Manchu – 2%
Hui – 0.9%
Daur – 0.3%
 • Languages and dialectsMandarin (official),[4] Mongolian (official), Oirat, Buryat, Dagur, Evenki, Jin
ISO 3166 codeCN-NM
GDP (2020)CNY 1.735 trillion
USD 251 billion (22nd)[5]
 - per capitaCNY 72,184
USD 10,461 (25th)
 • growthIncrease 0.2%
HDI (2018)Increase 0.774[6]
high · 8th
Websitewww.nmg.gov.cn
(Simplified Chinese)
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia in Simplified Chinese characters
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese内蒙古
Traditional Chinese內蒙古
Hanyu PinyinNèi Měnggǔ
Literal meaningInner Mongolia
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinNèi Měnggǔ
Bopomofoㄋㄟˋ   ㄇㄥˇ    ㄍㄨˇ
Gwoyeu RomatzyhNey Meengguu
Wade–GilesNei4 Mêng3-ku3
Tongyong PinyinNèi Měnggǔ
IPA[nêi mə̌ŋ.kù]
Wu
RomanizationNe Monku
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationNoih Mùhnggú
JyutpingNoi6mung4gu2
IPA[nɔj˨ mʊŋ˩.ku˧˥]
Southern Min
Hokkien POJLāi-bông-kó
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Simplified Chinese内蒙古自治区
Traditional Chinese內蒙古自治區
Hanyu PinyinNèiménggǔ Zìzhìqū
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinNèiménggǔ Zìzhìqū
Bopomofoㄋㄟˋ   ㄇㄥˇ   ㄍㄨˇ
ㄗˋ   ㄓˋ   ㄑㄩ
Gwoyeu RomatzyhNey Meengguu Tzyhjyhchiu
Wade–GilesNei4 Mêng3-ku3 Tzŭ4‑chih4‑chʽü1
Tongyong PinyinNèiménggǔ Zìhjhìhcyu
IPA[nêi mə̌ŋ.kù tsɹ̩̂.ʈʂɻ̩̂.tɕʰý]
Wu
RomanizationNe Monku Zyzychiu
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization[nɔj˨ mʊŋ˩.ku˧˥ tsi˨.tsi˨.kʰɵɥ˥]
JyutpingNoi6mung4gu2 Zi6zi6keoi1
IPA[nɔj˨ mʊŋ˩.ku˧˥ tsi˨.tsi˨.kʰɵɥ˥]
Southern Min
Hokkien POJLāi-bông-kó Chū-tī-khu
Mongolian name
Mongolian CyrillicӨвөр Монгол
(Övör Mongol)
Mongolian scriptᠦᠪᠦᠷ
ᠮᠣᠩᠭᠣᠯ
Transcriptions
SASM/GNCÖbür Monggol
Manchu name
Manchu scriptᡩᠣᡵᡤᡳ
ᠮᠣᠩᡤᠣ
RomanizationDorgi monggo
This article contains Mongolian script. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of text in Mongolian script.

Inner Mongolia,[note 1] officially the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,[7] is a landlocked autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. Its border includes most of the length of China's border with the country of Mongolia. Inner Mongolia also accounts for a small section of China's border with Russia (Zabaykalsky Krai). Its capital is Hohhot; other major cities include Baotou, Chifeng, Tongliao and Ordos.

The Autonomous Region was established in 1947, incorporating the areas of the former Republic of China provinces of Suiyuan, Chahar, Rehe, Liaobei and Xing'an, along with the northern parts of Gansu and Ningxia.

Its area makes it the third largest Chinese administrative subdivision, constituting approximately 1,200,000 km2 (463,000 sq mi) and 12% of China's total land area. Due to its long span from east to west, Inner Mongolia is geographically divided into eastern and western divisions. The eastern division is often included in Northeastern China (former Manchuria) with major cities include Tongliao, Chifeng, Hailaer, Ulanhot. The western division is included in Northwestern China, with major cities include Baotou, Hohhot. It recorded a population of 24,706,321 in the 2010 census, accounting for 1.84% of Mainland China's total population. Inner Mongolia is the country's 23rd most populous province-level division.[8] The majority of the population in the region are Han Chinese, with a sizeable Mongol minority close to 5,000,000 (2019) which is the largest Mongolian population in the world (bigger than that in the country of Mongolia). Inner Mongolia is one of the most economically developed provinces in China with annual GDP per capita close to US$13,000 (2019), often ranked 5th in the nation. The official languages are Mandarin and Mongolian, the latter of which is written in the traditional Mongolian script, as opposed to the Mongolian Cyrillic alphabet, which is used in the state of Mongolia (formerly often described as "Outer Mongolia").

Etymology

In Chinese, the region is known as "Inner Mongolia", where the terms of "Inner/Outer" are derived from Manchu dorgi/tulergi (cf. Mongolian dotugadu/gadagadu). Inner Mongolia is distinct from Outer Mongolia, which was a term used by the Republic of China and previous governments to refer to what is now the independent state of Mongolia plus the Republic of Tuva in Russia. The term Inner 内 (Nei) referred to the Nei Fan 内藩 (Inner Tributary), i.e., those descendants of Genghis Khan who were granted the title khan (king) in the Ming and Qing dynasties and lived in part of southern Mongolia. The region is called Southern Mongolia by its delegation to the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization.[9]

History

See also: History of Mongolia

Much of what is known about the history of Greater Mongolia, including Inner Mongolia, is known through Chinese chronicles and historians. Before the rise of the Mongols in the 13th century, what is now central and western Inner Mongolia, especially the Hetao region, alternated in control between Chinese agriculturalists in the south, and Xiongnu, Xianbei, Khitan, Jurchen, Tujue, and nomadic Mongol of the north. The historical narrative of what is now Eastern Inner Mongolia mostly consists of alternations between different Tungusic and Mongol tribes, rather than the struggle between nomads and Chinese agriculturalists.

Early history

Slab Grave cultural monuments are found in Northern, Central and Eastern Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, North-Western China, Southern, Central-Eastern and Southern Baikal territory. Mongolian scholars prove that this culture related to the Proto-Mongols.[10]

During the Zhou dynasty, Central and Western Inner Mongolia (the Hetao region and surrounding areas) were inhabited by nomadic peoples such as the Loufan, Linhu and Dí, while Eastern Inner Mongolia was inhabited by the Donghu. During the Warring States period, King Wuling (340–295 BC) of the state of Zhao based in what is now Hebei and Shanxi Provinces pursued an expansionist policy towards the region. After destroying the Dí state of Zhongshan in what is now Hebei province, he defeated the Linhu and Loufan and created the Yunzhong Commandery near modern Hohhot. King Wuling of Zhao also built a long wall stretching through the Hetao region. After Qin Shi Huang created the first unified Chinese empire in 221 BC, he sent the general Meng Tian to drive the Xiongnu from the region and incorporated the old Zhao wall into the Qin dynasty Great Wall of China. He also maintained two commanderies in the region: Jiuyuan and Yunzhong and moved 30,000 households there to solidify the region. After the Qin dynasty collapsed in 206 BC, these efforts were abandoned.[11]

During the Western Han dynasty, Emperor Wu sent the general Wei Qing to reconquer the Hetao region from the Xiongnu in 127 BC. After the conquest, Emperor Wu continued the policy of building settlements in Hetao to defend against the Xiong-Nu. In that same year, he established the commanderies of Shuofang and Wuyuan in Hetao. At the same time, what is now Eastern Inner Mongolia was controlled by the Xianbei, who would, later on, eclipse the Xiongnu in power and influence.

During the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD), Xiongnu who surrendered to the Han dynasty began to be settled in Hetao and intermingled with the Han immigrants in the area. Later on, during the Western Jin dynasty, it was a Xiongnu noble from Hetao, Liu Yuan, who established the Han Zhao kingdom in the region, thereby beginning the Sixteen Kingdoms period that saw the disintegration of northern China under a variety of Han and non-Han (including Xiongnu and Xianbei) regimes.

The Sui dynasty (581–618) and Tang dynasty (618–907) re-established a unified Chinese empire and like their predecessors, they conquered and settled people into Hetao, though once again these efforts were aborted when the Tang empire began to collapse. Hetao (along with the rest of what now consists Inner Mongolia) was then taken over by the Khitan Empire (Liao dynasty), founded by the Khitans, a nomadic people originally from what is now the southern part of Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia. They were followed by the Western Xia of the Tanguts, who took control of what is now the western part of Inner Mongolia (including Western Hetao). The Khitans were later replaced by the Jurchens, precursors to the modern Manchus, who established the Jin dynasty over Manchuria and Northern China.

Mongol and Ming periods

Main articles: Mongol Empire, Mongolia under Yuan rule, Northern Yuan dynasty, and Ming dynasty
Persian miniature depicting Genghis Khan entering Beijing
The Northern Yuan at its greatest extent

After Genghis Khan unified the Mongol tribes in 1206 and founded the Mongol Empire, the Tangut Western Xia empire was ultimately conquered in 1227, and the Jurchen Jin dynasty fell in 1234. In 1271, Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan established the Yuan dynasty. Kublai Khan's summer capital Shangdu (aka Xanadu) was located near present-day Dolonnor. During that time Ongud and Khunggirad peoples dominated the area of what is now Inner Mongolia. After the Yuan dynasty was overthrown by the Han-led Ming dynasty in 1368, the Ming captured parts of Inner Mongolia including Shangdu and Yingchang. The Ming rebuilt the Great Wall of China at its present location, which roughly follows the southern border of the modern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (though it deviates significantly at the Hebei-Inner Mongolia border). The Ming established the Three Guards composed of the Mongols there. Soon after the Tumu incident in 1449, when the Oirat ruler Esen taishi captured the Chinese emperor, Mongols flooded south from Outer Mongolia to Inner Mongolia. Thus from then on until 1635, Inner Mongolia was the political and cultural center of the Mongols during the Northern Yuan dynasty.[12]

Qing period

Main article: Mongolia under Qing rule

The eastern Mongol tribes near and in Manchuria, particularly the Khorchin and Southern Khalkha in today's Inner Mongolia intermarried, formed alliances with, and fought against the Jurchen tribes until Nurhaci, the founder of the new Jin dynasty, consolidated his control over all groups in the area in 1593.[13] The Manchus gained far-reaching control of the Inner Mongolian tribes in 1635, when Ligden Khan's son surrendered the Chakhar Mongol tribes to the Manchus. The Manchus subsequently invaded Ming China in 1644, bringing it under the control of their newly established Qing dynasty. Under the Qing dynasty (1636–1912), Greater Mongolia was administered in a different way for each region:

Mongolia plateau during early 17th century
Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia within the Qing dynasty, c. 1820
  • "Outer Mongolia": This region corresponds to the modern state of Mongolia, plus the Russian-administered region of Tannu Uriankhai, and a part of northern Xinjiang. It included the four leagues (aimag) of the Khalkha Mongols north of the Gobi, as well as the Tannu Uriankhai and Khovd regions in northwestern Mongolia, which were overseen by the General of Uliastai from the city of Uliastai.
  • "Inner Mongolia": This region corresponded to most of modern Inner Mongolia and some neighbouring areas in Liaoning and Jilin provinces. The banners and tribes in this region came under six leagues (chuulghan): Jirim, Juuuda, Josutu, Xilingol, Ulanqab, and Yekejuu.
  • "Taoxi Mongolia": The Alashan Öölüd and Ejine Torghuud banners were separate from the aimags of Outer Mongolia and the chuulghans of Inner Mongolia. This territory is equivalent to modern-day Alxa League, the westernmost part of what is now Inner Mongolia.
  • The Chahar Banners were controlled by the military commander of Chahar (now Zhangjiakou). Their extent corresponded to southern Ulanqab and Bayannur in modern Inner Mongolia, plus the region around Zhangjiakou in Hebei province. At the same time, the jurisdiction of some border departments of Zhili and Shanxi provinces also belonged to this region.
  • The Guihua Tümed banner was controlled by the military commander of Suiyuan (now Hohhot). This corresponds to the vicinities of the modern city of Hohhot. At the same time, the jurisdiction of some border departments of modern Shanxi province also belonged to this region.
  • The Hulunbuir region in what is now northeastern Inner Mongolia was part of the jurisdiction of the General of Heilongjiang, one of the three generals of Manchuria.

The Inner Mongolian Chahar leader Ligdan Khan, a descendant of Genghis Khan, opposed and fought against the Qing until he died of smallpox in 1634. Thereafter, the Inner Mongols under his son Ejei Khan surrendered to the Qing and was given the title of Prince (親王; qīn wáng), and Inner Mongolian nobility became closely tied to the Qing royal family and intermarried with them extensively. Ejei Khan died in 1661 and was succeeded by his brother Abunai. After Abunai showed disaffection with Manchu Qing rule, he was placed under house arrest in 1669 in Shenyang and the Kangxi Emperor gave his title to his son Borni. Abunai then bid his time and then he and his brother Lubuzung revolted against the Qing in 1675 during the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, with 3,000 Chahar Mongol followers joining in on the revolt. The revolt was put down within two months, the Qing then crushed the rebels in a battle on 20 April 1675, killing Abunai and all his followers. Their title was abolished, all Chahar Mongol royal males were executed even if they were born to Manchu Qing princesses, and all Chahar Mongol royal females were sold into slavery except the Manchu Qing princesses. The Chahar Mongols were then put under the direct control of the Qing Emperor, unlike the other Inner Mongol leagues which maintained their autonomy.

Despite officially prohibiting Han Chinese settlement on the Manchu and Mongol lands, by the 18th century the Qing decided to settle Han refugees from northern China who were suffering from famine, floods, and drought into Manchuria and Inner Mongolia. As a result, the Han Chinese farmed 500,000 hectares in Manchuria and tens of thousands of hectares in Inner Mongolia by the 1780s.[14]

Ordinary Mongols were not allowed to travel outside their own leagues. Mongols were forbidden by the Qing from crossing the borders of their banners, even into other Mongol Banners and from crossing into neidi (the Han Chinese 18 provinces) and were given serious punishments if they did in order to keep the Mongols divided against each other to benefit the Qing.[15] Mongol pilgrims wanting to leave their banner's borders for religious reasons such as pilgrimage had to apply for passports to give them permission.[16]

During the eighteenth century, growing numbers of Han Chinese settlers had illegally begun to move into the Inner Mongolian steppe. By 1791, there had been so many Han Chinese settlers in the Front Gorlos Banner that the jasak had petitioned the Qing government to legalise the status of the peasants who had already settled there.[17]

During the nineteenth century, the Manchus were becoming increasingly sinicised and faced with the Russian threat, they began to encourage Han Chinese farmers to settle in both Mongolia and Manchuria. This policy was followed by subsequent governments. The railroads that were being built in these regions were especially useful to the Han Chinese settlers. Land was either sold by Mongol Princes, or leased to Han Chinese farmers, or simply taken away from the nomads and given to Han Chinese farmers.

A group of Han Chinese during the Qing dynasty called "Mongol followers" immigrated to Inner Mongolia who worked as servants for Mongols and Mongol princes and married Mongol women. Their descendants continued to marry Mongol women and changed their ethnicity to Mongol as they assimilated into the Mongol people, an example of this were the ancestors of Li Shouxin. They distinguished themselves apart from "true Mongols" 真蒙古.[18][19][20]

Republic of China and the Second World War periods

Further information: Mongolia (1911–24) and Inner Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party
Mongols stand in front of a yurt, 1912

Outer Mongolia gained independence from the Qing dynasty in 1911, when the Jebtsundamba Khutugtu of the Khalkha was declared the Bogd Khan of Mongolia. Although almost all banners of Inner Mongolia recognised the Bogd Khan as the supreme ruler of Mongols, the internal strife within the region prevented a full reunification. The Mongol rebellions in Inner Mongolia were counterbalanced by princes who hoped to see a restored Qing dynasty in Manchuria and Mongolia, as they considered the theocratic rule of the Bogd Khan would be against their modernising objectives for Mongolia.[21] Eventually, the newly formed Republic of China promised a new nation of five races (Han, Manchu, Mongol, Tibetan and Uyghur).[22] and suppressed the Mongol rebellions in the area,[23][24]


The Republic of China reorganised Inner Mongolia into provinces:

  • Rehe province was created to include the Juuuda and Josutu leagues, plus the Chengde area in what is now northern Hebei.
  • Chahar province was created to include Xilingol league as well as much of the former territory of the Eight Banners.
  • Suiyuan province was created to include Ulanqab league, Yekejuu league, and the Hetao region (former Guihua Tümed territory).
  • Hulunbuir stayed within Heilongjiang in Manchuria, which had become a province.
  • Most of Jirim league came under the new province of Fengtian in southern Manchuria.
  • Taoxi Mongolia, i.e., Alashan and Ejine leagues, was incorporated into neighbouring Gansu province. Later on Ningxia province was split out of northern Gansu, and Taoxi Mongolia became part of Ningxia.

Some Republic of China maps still show this structure.

The history of Inner Mongolia during the Second World War is complicated, with Japanese invasion and different kinds of resistance movements. In 1931, Manchuria came under the control of the Japanese puppet state Manchukuo, taking some Mongol areas in the Manchurian provinces (i.e., Hulunbuir and Jirim leagues) along. Rehe was also incorporated into Manchukuo in 1933, taking Juu Uda and Josutu leagues along with it. These areas were occupied by Manchukuo until the end of World War II in 1945.

In 1937, the Empire of Japan openly and fully invaded Republic of China by war. On 8 December 1937, Mongolian Prince Demchugdongrub (also known as "De Wang") declared an independence of the remaining parts of Inner Mongolia (i.e., the Suiyuan and Chahar provinces) as Mengjiang, and signed an agreements with Manchukuo and Japan. Its capital was established at Zhangbei (now in Hebei province), with the Japanese puppet government's control extending as far west as the Hohhot region. The Japanese advanced was defeated by Hui Muslim General Ma Hongbin at the Battle of West Suiyuan and Battle of Wuyuan. After 1945, Inner Mongolia has remained part of China.

The Mongol Ulanhu fought against the Japanese.

Delegates of Inner Mongolia People's Congress shouting slogans

Ethnic Mongolian guerrilla units were created by the Kuomintang Nationalists to fight against the Japanese during the war in the late 30s and early 40s. These Mongol militias were created by the Ejine and Alashaa based commissioner's offices created by the Kuomintang.[25][26] Prince Demchugdongrob's Mongols were targeted by Kuomintang Mongols to defect to the Republic of China. The Nationalists recruited 1,700 ethnic minority fighters in Inner Mongolia and created war zones in the Tumet Banner, Ulanchab League, and Ordos Yekejuu League.[25][27]

The Inner Mongolian People's Republic was founded shortly after the Second World War. It existed from 9 September 1945 until 6 November 1945.

People's Republic of China

The Communist movement gradually gained momentum as part of the Third Communist International in Inner Mongolia during the Japanese period. By the end of WWII, the Inner Mongolian faction of the ComIntern had a functional militia and actively opposed the attempts at independence by De Wang's Chinggisid princes on the grounds of fighting feudalism. Following the end of World War II, the Chinese Communists gained control of Manchuria as well as the Inner Mongolian Communists with decisive Soviet support and established the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 1947. The Comintern army was absorbed into the People's Liberation Army. Initially, the autonomous region included just the Hulunbuir region. Over the next decade, as the communists established the People's Republic of China and consolidated control over mainland China, Inner Mongolia was expanded westwards to include five of the six original leagues (except Josutu League, which remains in Liaoning province), the northern part of the Chahar region, by then a league as well (southern Chahar remains in Hebei province), the Hetao region, and the Alashan and Ejine banners. Eventually, nearly all areas with sizeable Mongol populations were incorporated into the region, giving present-day Inner Mongolia its elongated shape. The leader of Inner Mongolia during that time, as both regional CPC secretary and head of regional government, was Ulanhu.

During the Cultural Revolution, the administration of Ulanhu was purged, and a wave of repressions was initiated against the Mongol population of the autonomous region.[28] In 1969 much of Inner Mongolia was distributed among surrounding provinces, with Hulunbuir divided between Heilongjiang and Jilin, Jirim going to Jilin, Juu Uda to Liaoning, and the Alashan and Ejine region divided among Gansu and Ningxia. This was reversed in 1979.

Inner Mongolia has seen considerable development since Deng Xiaoping instituted Chinese economic reform in 1978. For about ten years since 2000, Inner Mongolia's GDP growth has been the highest in the country, (along with Guangdong) largely owing to the success of natural resource industries in the region. GDP growth has continually been over 10%, even 15% and connections with the Wolf Economy to the north has helped development. However, growth has come at a cost with huge amounts of pollution and degradation to the grasslands.[29] Attempts to attract ethnic Chinese to migrate from other regions, as well as urbanise those rural nomads and peasants has led to huge amounts of corruption and waste in public spending, such as Ordos City.[30][31] Acute uneven wealth distribution has further exacerbated ethnic tensions, many indigenous Mongolians feeling they are increasingly marginalised in their own homeland, leading to riots in 2011 and 2013.[32][33]

On 31 August 2020, large protests broke out in ethnic Mongol communities due to unannounced plans by the Chinese government to phase out Mongolian-medium teaching.[34][35][36]

Geography

Steppes in New Barag Right Banner
Topography of Inner Mongolia in China

Officially Inner Mongolia is classified as one of the provincial-level divisions of North China, but its great stretch means that parts of it belong to Northeast China and Northwest China as well. It borders eight provincial-level divisions in all three of the aforementioned regions (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Gansu), tying with Shaanxi for the greatest number of bordering provincial-level divisions. Most of its international border is with Mongolia,[note 2] which, in Chinese, is sometimes called "Outer Mongolia", while a small portion is with Russia's Zabaykalsky Krai.

Inner Mongolia largely consists of the northern side of the North China Craton, a tilted and sedimented Precambrian block. In the extreme southwest is the edge of the Tibetan Plateau where the autonomous region's highest peak, Main Peak in the Helan Mountains reaches 3,556 metres (11,670 ft), and is still being pushed up today in short bursts.[2] Most of Inner Mongolia is a plateau averaging around 1,200 metres (3,940 ft) in altitude and covered by extensive loess and sand deposits. The northern part consists of the Mesozoic era Khingan Mountains, and is owing to the cooler climate more forested, chiefly with Manchurian elm, ash, birch, Mongolian oak and a number of pine and spruce species. Where discontinuous permafrost is present north of Hailar District, forests are almost exclusively coniferous. In the south, the natural vegetation is grassland in the east and very sparse in the arid west, and grazing is the dominant economic activity.

Owing to the ancient, weathered rocks lying under its deep sedimentary cover, Inner Mongolia is a major mining district, possessing large reserves of coal, iron ore and rare-earth minerals, which have made it a major industrial region today.

Climate

Winter in Ulanbutan Grassland, Hexigten Banner

Due to its elongated shape, Inner Mongolia has a four-season monsoon climate with regional variations. The winters in Inner Mongolia are very long, cold, and dry with frequent blizzards, though snowfall is so light that Inner Mongolia has no modern glaciers[2] even on the highest Helan peaks. The spring is short, mild and arid, with large, dangerous sandstorms, whilst the summer is very warm to hot and relatively humid except in the west where it remains dry. Autumn is brief and sees a steady cooling, with temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) reached in October in the north and November in the south.

Officially, most of Inner Mongolia is classified as either a cold arid or steppe regime (Köppen BWk, BSk, respectively). The small portion besides these are classified as humid continental (Köppen Dwb) in the northeast, or subarctic (Köppen Dwc) in the far north near Hulunbuir.[37]

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for some locations in Inner Mongolia of China
City July (°C) July (°F) January (°C) January (°F)
Baotou 29.6/17.1 85.3/62.8 −4.1/–16.8 24.7/1.8
Bayannur 30.7/17.9 87.3/64.2 −3.3/–15.1 26.1/4.8
Hohhot 28.5/16.4 83.3/61.5 −5/–16.9 23/1.6
Ordos 26.7/15.8 80.1/60.4 −4.8/–14.7 23.4/5.5
Ulanqab 25.4/13.6 77.7/56.5 −6.1/–18.5 21/–1.3

Administrative divisions

Main articles: List of administrative divisions of Inner Mongolia and List of township-level divisions of Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is divided into twelve prefecture-level divisions. Until the late 1990s, most of Inner Mongolia's prefectural regions were known as Leagues (Chinese: 盟), a usage retained from Mongol divisions of the Qing dynasty. Similarly, county-level divisions are often known as Banners (Chinese: 旗). Since the 1990s, numerous Leagues have converted into prefecture-level cities, although Banners remain. The restructuring led to the conversion of primate cities in most leagues to convert to districts administratively (i.e.: Hailar, Jining and Dongsheng). Some newly founded prefecture-level cities have chosen to retain the original name of League (i.e.: Hulunbuir, Bayannur and Ulanqab), some have adopted the Chinese name of their primate city (Chifeng, Tongliao), and one League (Yekejuu) simply renamed itself Ordos. Despite these recent administrative changes, there is no indication that the Alxa, Hinggan, and Xilingol Leagues will convert to prefecture-level cities in the near future.

Administrative divisions of Inner Mongolia
Division code[38] Division Area in km2[39] Population 2010[40] Seat Divisions[41]
Districts Counties Banners Aut. banners CL cities
150000 Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region 1,183,000.00 24,706,321 Hohhot city 23 66 3 11
150,100 Hohhot city 17,186.10 2,866,615 Xincheng District 4 5
150,200 Baotou city 27,768.00 2,650,364 Jiuyuan District 6 3
150,300 Wuhai city 1,754.00 532,902 Haibowan District 3
150,400 Chifeng city 90,021.00 4,341,245 Songshan District 3 9
150,500 Tongliao city 59,535.00 3,139,153 Horqin District 1 6 1
150,600 Ordos city 86,881.61 1,940,653 Kangbashi District 2 7
150,700 Hulunbuir city 254,003.79 2,549,278 Hailar District 2 4 3 5
150,800 Bayannur city 65,755.47 1,669,915 Linhe District 1 6
150,900 Ulanqab city 54,447.72 2,143,590 Jining District 1 9 1
152,200 Hinggan League 59,806.00 1,613,250 Ulanhot city 4 2
152,500 Xilingol League 202,580.00 1,028,022 Xilinhot city 10 2
152,900 Alxa League 267,574.00 231,334 Alxa Left Banner 3

These prefecture-level divisions are in turn subdivided into 102 county-level divisions, including 22 districts, 11 county-level cities, 17 counties, 49 banners, and 3 autonomous banners. Those are in turn divided into 1425 township-level divisions, including 532 towns, 407 townships, 277 sumu, eighteen ethnic townships, one ethnic sumu, and 190 subdistricts. At the end of 2017, the total population of Inner-Mongolia is 25.29 million.[1]

Urban areas

Population by urban areas of prefecture & county cities
# City Urban area[42] District area[42] City proper[42] Census date
1 Baotou 1,900,373 2,096,851 2,650,364 2010-11-01
2 Hohhot 1,497,110 1,980,774 2,866,615 2010-11-01
3 Chifeng 902,285 1,333,526 4,341,245 2010-11-01
4 Tongliao 540,338 898,895 3,139,153 2010-11-01
5 Ordos[i] 510,242 582,544 1,940,653 2010-11-01
6 Wuhai 502,704 532,902 532,902 2010-11-01
7 Bayannur 354,507 541,721 1,669,915 2010-11-01
8 Yakeshi 338,275 352,173 see Hulunbuir 2010-11-01
9 Hulunbuir[ii] 327,384 344,934 2,549,252 2010-11-01
(9) Hulunbuir (new district)[ii] 99,960 99,960 see Hulunbuir 2010-11-01
10 Ulanqab 319,723 356,135 2,143,590 2010-11-01
11 Ulanhot 276,406 327,081 part of Hinggan League 2010-11-01
12 Xilinhot 214,382 245,886 part of Xilingol League 2010-11-01
13 Zalantun 167,493 366,323 see Hulunbuir 2010-11-01
14 Manzhouli 148,460 149,512 see Hulunbuir 2010-11-01
15 Fengzhen 123,811 245,608 see Ulanqab 2010-11-01
16 Holingol 101,496 102,214 see Tongliao 2010-11-01
17 Genhe 89,194 110,438 see Hulunbuir 2010-11-01
18 Erenhot 71,455 74,179 part of Xilingol League 2010-11-01
19 Arxan 55,770 68,311 part of Hinggan League 2010-11-01
20 Ergun 55,076 76,667 see Hulunbuir 2010-11-01
  1. ^ New district established after census: Kangbashi from a part of Dongsheng. The new district is included in the urban area & district area count.
  2. ^ a b New district established after census: Zhalainuo'er from a part of Manzhouli CLC. The new district not included in the urban area & district area count of the pre-expanded city.

Economy

Farming of crops such as wheat takes precedence along the river valleys. In the more arid grasslands, herding of goats, sheep and so on is a traditional method of subsistence. Forestry and hunting are somewhat important in the Greater Khingan ranges in the east. Reindeer herding is carried out by Evenks in the Evenk Autonomous Banner. More recently, growing grapes and winemaking have become an economic factor in the Wuhai area.

Theater in Hohhot

Inner Mongolia has an abundance of resources especially coal, cashmere, natural gas, rare-earth elements, and has more deposits of naturally occurring niobium, zirconium and beryllium than any other province-level region in China. However, in the past, the exploitation and utilisation of resources were rather inefficient, which resulted in poor returns from rich resources. Inner Mongolia is also an important coal production base, with more than a quarter of the world's coal reserves located in the province.[43] It plans to double annual coal output by 2010 (from the 2005 volume of 260 million tons) to 500 million tons of coal a year.[44]

Inner Mongolia Gymnasium

Industry in Inner Mongolia has grown up mainly around coal, power generation, forestry-related industries, and related industries. Inner Mongolia now encourages six competitive industries: energy, chemicals, metallurgy, equipment manufacturing, processing of farm (including dairy) produce, and high technology. Well-known Inner Mongolian enterprises include companies such as ERDOS, Yili, and Mengniu.

The nominal GDP of Inner Mongolia in 2015 was 1.8 trillion yuan (US$272.1 billion), with an average annual increase of 10% from the period 2010–2015. Its per capita GDP reached US$11,500 in 2015, ranking No.4th among all the 31 provinces of China, only after Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin.[45]

As with much of China, economic growth has led to a boom in construction, including new commercial development and large apartment complexes.

In addition to its large reserves of natural resources, Inner Mongolia also has the largest usable wind power capacity in China[43] thanks to strong winds which develop in the province's grasslands. Some private companies have set up wind parks in parts of Inner Mongolia such as Bailingmiao, Hutengliang and Zhouzi.

Economic and Technological Development Zones

  • Baotou National Rare-Earth Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone[46]
  • Erenhot Border Economic Cooperation Area
  • Hohhot Export Processing Zone

Hohhot Export Processing Zone was established 21 June 2002 by the State Council, which is located in the west of the Hohhot, with a planning area of 2.2 km2 (0.85 sq mi). Industries encouraged in the export processing zone include Electronics Assembly & Manufacturing, Telecommunications Equipment, Garment and Textiles Production, Trading and Distribution, Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals, Food/Beverage Processing, Instruments & Industrial Equipment Production, Medical Equipment and Supplies, Shipping/Warehousing/Logistics, Heavy Industry.[47]

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Inner Mongolia
See also: List of provincial leaders of the People's Republic of China

Under the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, articles 112–122, autonomous regions have limited autonomy in both the political and economic arena. Autonomous regions have more discretion in administering economic policy in the region in accordance with national guidelines. Structurally, the Chairman—who legally must be an ethnic minority and is usually ethnic Mongolian—is always kept in check by the Communist Party Regional Committee Secretary, who is usually from a different part of China (to reduce corruption) and Han Chinese. As of August 2016, the current party secretary is Shi Taifeng. The Inner Mongolian government and its subsidiaries follow roughly the same structure as that of a Chinese province. With regards to economic policy, as a part of increased federalism characteristics in China, Inner Mongolia has become more independent in implementing its own economic roadmap.

The position of Chairman of Inner Mongolia alternates between Khorchin Mongols in the east and the Tumed Mongols in the west.[citation needed] Since the end of the Cultural Revolution, this convention has not been broken. The family of Ulanhu has retained influence in regional politics ever since the founding the People's Republic. His son Buhe and granddaughter Bu Xiaolin both served as Chairman of the region.

Demographics

Main articles: Southern Mongols, Mongols in China, and List of ethnic groups in China
Muslim-themed Street in Hohhot
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1954[48] 6,100,104—    
1964[49] 12,348,638+7.31%
1982[50] 19,274,279+2.50%
1990[51] 21,456,798+1.35%
2000[52] 23,323,347+0.84%
2010[53] 24,706,321+0.58%
Established in 1947 from dissolution of Xing'an Province, Qahar Province, parts of Rehe Province, and Suiyuan Province; parts of Ningxia Province were incorporated into Inner Mongolia AR.

When the autonomous region was established in 1947, Han Chinese comprised 83.6% of the population, while the Mongols comprised 14.8% of the population.[54] By 2010, the percentage of Han Chinese had dropped to 79.5%. While the Hetao region along the Yellow River has always alternated between farmers from the south and nomads from the north, the most recent wave of Han Chinese migration began in the early 18th century with encouragement from the Qing dynasty, and continued into the 20th century. Han Chinese live mostly in the Hetao region as well as various population centres in central and eastern Inner Mongolia. Over 70% of Mongols are concentrated in less than 18% of Inner Mongolia's territory (Hinggan League, and the prefectures of Tongliao and Chifeng).

Mongols are the second largest ethnic group, comprising 17.11% of the population as of the 2010 census.[55] They include many diverse Mongolian-speaking groups; groups such as the Buryats and the Oirats are also officially considered to be Mongols in China. In addition to the Manchus, other Tungusic ethnic groups, the Oroqen, and the Evenks also populate parts of northeastern Inner Mongolia.

Many of the traditionally nomadic Mongols have settled in permanent homes as their pastoral economy was collectivised during the Mao era, and some have taken jobs in cities as migrant labourers; however, some Mongols continue in their nomadic tradition. In practice, highly educated Mongols tend to migrate to big urban centers after which they become essentially indistinct with ethnic Han Chinese populations.

Inter-marriage between Mongol and non-Mongol populations is very common, particularly in areas where Mongols are in regular contact with other groups. There was little cultural stigma within Mongol families for marrying outside the ethnic group, and in urban centers in particular, Mongol men and women married non-Mongols at relatively similar rates. The rates of intermarriage stands in very sharp contrast to ethnic Tibetans and Uyghurs in their respective autonomous regions. By the 1980s, for instance, in the former Jirim League, nearly 40% of marriages with at least one Mongol spouse was a mixed Mongol-Han Chinese marriage.[56] However, anecdotal reports have also demonstrated an increase in Mongol-female, Han Chinese-male pairings in which the woman is of a rural background, ostensibly shutting rural Mongol males from the marriage market as the sex ratio in China becomes more skewed with a much higher proportion of men.[57]

There is also a significant number of Hui and Koreans.

Ethnic groups in Inner Mongolia, 2010 census[58]
Ethnicity Population Percentage
Han 19,650,687 79.54%
Mongol 4,226,093 17.11%
Manchu 452,765 1.83%
Daur 121,483 0.49%
Evenks 26,139 0.11%
Oroqen people 8,464 0.07%
Year Population Han Chinese Mongol Manchu
1953[59] 6,100,104 5,119,928 83.9% 888,235 14.6% 18,354 0.3%
1964[59] 12,348,638 10,743,456 87.0% 1,384,535 11.2% 50,960 0.4%
1982[59] 19,274,281 16,277,616 84.4% 2,489,378 12.9% 237,149 1.2%
1990[60] 21,456,500 17,290,000 80.6% 3,379,700 15.8%
2000[61] 23,323,347 18,465,586 79.2% 3,995,349 17.1% 499,911 2.3%
2010[62] 24,706,321 19,650,687 79.5% 4,226,093 17.1% 452,765 1.83%
Territories with Mongol majorities and near-majorities[citation needed]
Name of banner Mongol population Percentage
Horqin Right Middle Banner, Hinggan (2009) 222,410 84.1%
New Barag Right Banner, Hulunbuir (2009) 28,369 82.2%
Horqin Left Back Banner, Tongliao 284,000 75%
New Barag Left Banner, Hulunbuir (2009) 31,531 74.9%
Horqin Left Middle Banner, Tongliao 395,000 73.5%
East Ujimqin Banner, Xilingol (2009) 43,394 72.5%
West Ujimqin Banner, Xilingol 57,000 65%
Sonid Left Banner, Xilingol (2006) 20,987 62.6%
Bordered Yellow Banner, Xilingol 19,000 62%
Hure Banner, Tongliao 93,000 56%
Jarud Banner, Tongliao 144,000 48%
Horqin Right Front Banner, Hinggan 162,000 45%
Old Barag Banner, Hulunbuir (2006) 25,903 43.6%
Jalaid Banner, Hinggan 158,000 39%
Ar Khorchin Banner, Chifeng (2002) 108,000 36.6%

Population numbers exclude members of the People's Liberation Army in active service based in Inner Mongolia.

Human rights

In October 2020, the Chinese government asked Natural History Museum in Nantes, France not to use the words “Genghis Khan” and “Mongolia” in the exhibition project dedicated to the history of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. Nantes History Museum engaged the exhibition project in partnership with the Inner Mongolia Museum in Hohhot, China. The museum stopped the exhibition project and the director of the museum, Bertrand Guillet, said: “Tendentious elements of rewriting aimed at completely eliminating Mongolian history and culture in favor of a new national narrative”. [63][better source needed]

Language and culture

See also: Culture of Mongolia, Music of Mongolia, and Music of Inner Mongolia
A KFC in Hohhot, the capital, with a bilingual street sign in Chinese and Mongolian
Inner Mongolian carpet c. 1870

Alongside Chinese, Mongolian is the official provincial language of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, where there are at least 4.1 million ethnic Mongols.[64] Across the whole of China, the language is spoken by roughly half of the country's 5.8 million ethnic Mongols (2005 estimate)[65] However, the exact number of Mongolian speakers in China is unknown, as there is no data available on the language proficiency of that country's citizens. The use of Mongolian in China, specifically in Inner Mongolia, has witnessed periods of decline and revival over the last few hundred years. The language experienced a decline during the late Qing period, a revival between 1947 and 1965, a second decline between 1966 and 1976, a second revival between 1977 and 1992, and a third decline between 1995 and 2012.[66] However, in spite of the decline of the Mongolian language in some of Inner Mongolia's urban areas and educational spheres, the ethnic identity of the urbanised Chinese-speaking Mongols is most likely going to survive due to the presence of urban ethnic communities.[67] The multilingual situation in Inner Mongolia does not appear to obstruct efforts by ethnic Mongols to preserve their language.[68][69] Although an unknown number of Mongols in China, such as the Tumets, may have completely or partially lost the ability to speak their language, they are still registered as ethnic Mongols and continue to identify themselves as ethnic Mongols.[65][70] The children of inter-ethnic Mongol-Chinese marriages also claim to be and are registered as ethnic Mongols. This is done by most of such mix-marriages to take advantage of China's ethnic policy where preferential treatment is given to ethnic minorities in areas like eg. entry into higher education institutes where extra bonus marks are added to their final aggregate score and the one-child policy where ethnic minorities are exempted.[71]

By law, all street signs, commercial outlets, and government documents must be bilingual, written in both Mongolian and Chinese. There are three Mongolian TV channels in the Inner Mongolia Satellite TV network. In public transportation, all announcements are to be bilingual.

Mongols in Inner Mongolia speak Mongolian dialects such as Chakhar, Xilingol, Baarin, Khorchin and Kharchin Mongolian and, depending on definition and analysis, further dialects[72] or closely related independent Central Mongolic languages[73] such as Ordos, Khamnigan, Barghu Buryat and the arguably Oirat dialect Alasha. The standard pronunciation of Mongolian in China is based on the Chakhar dialect of the Plain Blue Banner, located in central Inner Mongolia, while the grammar is based on all Southern Mongolian dialects.[74] This is different from the Mongolian state, where the standard pronunciation is based on the closely related Khalkha dialect. There are a number of independent languages spoken in Hulunbuir such as the somewhat more distant Mongolic language Dagur and the Tungusic language Evenki. Officially, even the Evenki dialect Oroqin is considered a language.[75]

The Han Chinese of Inner Mongolia speak a variety of dialects, depending on the region. Those in the eastern parts tend to speak Northeastern Mandarin, which belongs to the Mandarin group of dialects; those in the central parts, such as the Yellow River valley, speak varieties of Jin, another subdivision of Chinese, due to its proximity to other Jin-speaking areas in China such as the Shanxi province. Cities such as Hohhot and Baotou both have their unique brand of Jin Chinese such as the Zhangjiakou–Hohhot dialect which are sometimes incomprehensible with dialects spoken in northeastern regions such as Hailar.

The vast grasslands have long symbolised Inner Mongolia. Mongolian art often depicts the grassland in an uplifting fashion and emphasises Mongolian nomadic traditions. The Mongols of Inner Mongolia still practice their traditional arts. Inner Mongolian cuisine has Mongol roots and consists of dairy-related products and hand-held lamb (手扒肉). In recent years, franchises based on Hot pot have appeared in Inner Mongolia, the best known of which is Xiaofeiyang. Notable Inner Mongolian commercial brand names include Mengniu and Yili, both of which began as dairy product and ice cream producers.

Among the Han Chinese of Inner Mongolia, Jinju (晋剧) or Shanxi Opera is a popular traditional form of entertainment. See also: Shanxi. A popular career in Inner Mongolia is circus acrobatics. The internationally known Inner Mongolia Acrobatic Troupe travels and performs with the renowned Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Religion

Religion in Inner Mongolia (2005–2010)
Chinese and Mongolian folk religion
(worship of Heaven and ovoo/aobao)
 
 80%
Tibetan Buddhism
 
 10.9%
Chinese ancestral religion
 
 2.35%
Christianity
 
 3.2%
Islam
 
 0.91%
Temple of the White Sulde of Genghis Khan in the town of Uxin in Inner Mongolia, in the Mu Us Desert. The worship of Genghis is shared by Chinese and Mongolian folk religion.[note 3]
Main article: Religion in Inner Mongolia

According to a survey held in 2004 by the Minzu University of China, about 80% of the population of the region practice the worship of Heaven (that is named Tian in the Chinese tradition and Tenger in the Mongolian tradition) and of ovoo/aobao.[76]

Official statistics report that 10.9% of the population (3 million people) are members of Tibetan Buddhist groups.[77] According to the Chinese Spiritual Life Survey of 2007 and the Chinese General Social Survey of 2009, Christianity is the religious identity of 3.2% of the population of the region; and Chinese ancestral religion the professed belonging of 2.36%,[78] while a demographic analysis of the year 2010 reported that Muslims comprise the 0.91%.[79]

The cult of Genghis Khan, present in the form of various Genghis Khan temples, is a tradition of Mongolian shamanism, in which he is considered a cultural hero and divine ancestor, an embodiment of the Tenger (Heaven, God of Heaven).[80] His worship in special temples, greatly developed in Inner Mongolia since the 1980s, is also shared by the Han Chinese, claiming his spirit as the founding principle of the Yuan dynasty.[81]

Tibetan Buddhism (Mongolian Buddhism, locally also known as "Yellow Buddhism") is the dominant form of Buddhism in Inner Mongolia, also practised by many Han Chinese. Another form of Buddhism, practised by the Chinese, are the schools of Chinese Buddhism.

Tourism

In the capital city Hohhot:

Elsewhere in Inner Mongolia:

  • The Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, the cenotaph of Genghis Khan, is located in Ordos City.
  • Bashang Grasslands, on the border close to Beijing, is a popular retreat for urban residents wanting to get a taste of grasslands life.
  • The Arshihaty Stone Forest in Hexigten Global Geopark has magnificent granite rock formations formed from natural erosion.
  • Xiangshawan, or "singing sands gorge", is located in the Gobi Desert and contains numerous tourist attractions including sand sledding and camel rides.
  • Remains of Zhongjing (Central Capital) built in 1003 by Emperor Shengzong of the Khitan Liao dynasty (907–1125) in Ningcheng County.
  • Remains of Shangjing (Upper Capital) built in 918 by Yelu Abaoji the 1st emperor of the Khitan Liao dynasty (907–1125). Also called Huangdu it was one of the five capitals of the Liao dynasty.
  • Zuling Mausoleum of Abaoji Khan. It was built in 926 for Abaoji the 1st Emperor of the Liao dynasty. Located north-west of Shifangzi village.
  • Tablets of Juyan. Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) inscriptions on wood and bamboo. In 1930 Folke Bergman of the Sino-Swedish expedition first discovered 10,000 tablets at Ejin Khoshuu in the Gobi Desert.
  • Ruins of Shangdu (Xanadu) the Summer Capital of the Mongol Yuan dynasty built in 1256 by Kublai Khan.
  • White pagoda of the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) in Kailu County, Tongliao. It is still well preserved.
  • Ruins of Chagan Khoto (查干浩特) capital of the last Mongol Great Khan Ligden (1588–1634). Located in Ar Horqin Banner.
  • Jade dragon of the Hongshan culture (4700 BC – 2900 BC) found in Ongniud, Chifeng
    Jade dragon of the Hongshan culture (4700 BC – 2900 BC) found in Ongniud, Chifeng
  • Ulaanbutan grassland
    Ulaanbutan grassland
  • Inner Mongolian grassland
    Inner Mongolian grassland
  • Honorary tomb of Wang Zhaojun (born c. 50BC) in Hohhot
    Honorary tomb of Wang Zhaojun (born c. 50BC) in Hohhot
  • Fresco from the Liao dynasty (907–1125) tomb at Baoshan, Ar Horqin
    Fresco from the Liao dynasty (907–1125) tomb at Baoshan, Ar Horqin
  • Khitan people cooking. Fresco from the Liao dynasty (907–1125) tomb at Aohan
    Khitan people cooking. Fresco from the Liao dynasty (907–1125) tomb at Aohan
  • Remains of the city Khara-Khoto built in 1032. Located in Ejin Khoshuu, Alxa Aimag
    Remains of the city Khara-Khoto built in 1032. Located in Ejin Khoshuu, Alxa Aimag
  • Maidari Juu temple fortress (美岱召; měidài zhào) built by Altan Khan in 1575 near Baotou
    Maidari Juu temple fortress (美岱召; měidài zhào) built by Altan Khan in 1575 near Baotou
  • Newly built arch in front of the Maidari Juu temple fortress (1575)
    Newly built arch in front of the Maidari Juu temple fortress (1575)
  • Da Zhao temple (also called Ikh Zuu) built by Altan Khan in 1579
    Da Zhao temple (also called Ikh Zuu) built by Altan Khan in 1579
  • Badekar Monastery (1749) near Baotou, Inner Mongolia. Called Badgar Zuu in Mongolian
    Badekar Monastery (1749) near Baotou, Inner Mongolia. Called Badgar Zuu in Mongolian
  • Five Pagoda temple (1727) in Hohhot
    Five Pagoda temple (1727) in Hohhot
  • Badain Jaran temple (1868) in western Inner Mongolia
    Badain Jaran temple (1868) in western Inner Mongolia
  • Genghis Khan Mausoleum (1954)
    Genghis Khan Mausoleum (1954)
  • Genghis Khan Mausoleum (1954)
    Genghis Khan Mausoleum (1954)
  • Alshaa mountain scenery
    Alshaa mountain scenery
  • Alxa Western Monastery (Alshaa Baruun Hiid) built in 1756
    Alxa Western Monastery (Alshaa Baruun Hiid) built in 1756

Chinese space program

Sign of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

One of China's space vehicle launch facilities, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, is located in the Alxa League's Ejin Banner, in the west of Inner Mongolia. It was founded in 1958, making it the PRC's first launch facility. As of 2021, Jiuquan has documented more launches than any other launch facilities in China, and is still the only launch site for manned space missions (Shenzhou program). While geologically located inside Inner Mongolia, the launch center is named after Jiuquan, which is the nearest urban center in the nearby province of Gansu. As military facilities, the core areas at Jiuquan Center are highly restricted and can only be visited by tourist buses operated by the center, while the visitor center is open to the public and can be accessed from the south gate.

Inner Mongolia is also home to the two (and only two) space vehicles landing sites in China, the Siziwang Banner Landing Site in Ulanqab and the Dongfeng Landing Site in Alxa.

Education

Colleges and universities

See also: List of universities and colleges in Inner Mongolia

All of the above are under the authority of the autonomous region government. Institutions without full-time bachelor programs are not listed.

Education policy and protest

It was reported by The New York Times on 31 August 2020 that in the summer 2020, the Chinese government announced an education policy, which called for Chinese to gradually replace Mongolian as the language of instruction in three subjects, including language and literature, politics, and history, in elementary and middle schools around the Inner Mongolia region, and then thousands of ethnic Mongolians in northern China gathered to protest the policy.[82]

See also

Notes

  1. ^
  2. ^ The provinces of the State of Mongolia in Outer Mongolia that border Inner Mongolia are, from east to west, Dornod, Sükhbaatar, Dornogovi, Ömnögovi, Bayankhongor, and Govi-Altai
  3. ^ The White Sulde (White Spirit) is one of the two spirits of Genghis Khan (the other being the Black Sulde), represented either as his white or yellow horse or as a fierce warrior riding this horse. In its interior, the temple enshrines a statue of Genghis Khan (at the center) and four of his men on each side (the total making nine, a symbolic number in Mongolian culture), there is an altar where offerings to the godly men are made, and three white suldes made with white horse hair. From the central sulde there are strings which hold tied light blue pieces of cloth with a few white ones. The wall is covered with all the names of the Mongol kins. The Chinese worship Genghis as the ancestral god of the Yuan dynasty.

References

  1. ^ "Doing Business in China – Survey". Ministry Of Commerce – People's Republic Of China. Archived from the original on 5 August 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Wei Zhang, Mingyue He, Yonghua Li, Zhijiu Cui, Zhilin Wang and Yang Yu; "Quaternary glacier development and the relationship between the climate change and tectonic uplift in the Helan Mountains" Archived 14 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine; in Chinese Science Bulletin; December 2012, Volume 57, Issue 34, pp. 4491–4504.
  3. ^ "Communiqué of the Seventh National Population Census (No. 3)". National Bureau of Statistics of China. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "China". Ethnologue.
  5. ^ GDP-2020 is a preliminary data "Home - Regional - Quarterly by Province" (Press release). China NBS. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Sub-national HDI – Subnational HDI – Global Data Lab". globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  7. ^ ”Өвөр Монгол • 70 жил” хамтарсан сурвалжилга-7 [Inner Mongolia • 70 Years Collaboration – 7] (in Mongolian). 6 June 2017. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Tabulation on the 2010 Population Census of the People's Republic of China". stats.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  9. ^ "Southern Mongolia". Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. 25 March 2008. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  10. ^ History of Mongolia, Volume I, 2003.
  11. ^ Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian.
  12. ^ CPAtwood-Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire, p. 246.
  13. ^ Atwood, Christopher. Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire, p. 449.
  14. ^ Reardon-Anderson, James (October 2000). "Land Use and Society in Manchuria and Inner Mongolia during the Qing Dynasty". Environmental History. 5 (4): 503–530. doi:10.2307/3985584. JSTOR 3985584.
  15. ^ Bulag 2012, p. 41.
  16. ^ Charleux, Isabelle (2015). Nomads on Pilgrimage: Mongols on Wutaishan (China), 1800–1940. BRILL. p. 15. ISBN 978-9004297784.
  17. ^ The Cambridge History of China. Vol. 10. Cambridge University Press. 1978. p. 356.
  18. ^ Tsai, Wei-chieh (June 2017). Mongolization of Han Chinese and Manchu Settlers in Qing Mongolia, 1700–1911 (PDF) (Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, Indiana University). ProQuest LLC. p. 7.
  19. ^ Liu, Xiaoyuan (2006). Reins of Liberation: An Entangled History of Mongolian Independence, Chinese Territoriality, and Great Power Hegemony, 1911–1950 (illustrated ed.). Stanford University Press. p. 117. ISBN 0804754268.
  20. ^ Borjigin, Burensain. "The Complex Structure of Ethnic Conflict in the Frontier: Through the Debates around the 'Jindandao Incident' in 1891". Inner Asia, vol. 6, no. 1, 2004, pp. 41–60. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/23615320.
  21. ^ Atwood, Christopher. The Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire, p. 454.
  22. ^ Atwood, Christopher. The Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire, p. 91.
  23. ^ Belov, E. A. Anti-Chinese rebellion led by Babujav in Inner Mongolia, 1915–1916. – Annaly (Moscow), no. 2, 1996.
  24. ^ Belov, E. A. Rossiya i Mongoliya (1911–1919). Moscow: Vost. Lit. Publ.
  25. ^ a b Lin, Hsiao-ting (13 September 2010). "4 War and new frontier designs". Modern China's Ethnic Frontiers: A Journey to the West. Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia. Routledge. pp. 65–66. ISBN 978-1-136-92393-7.
  26. ^ Lin, Hsiao-ting (13 September 2010). "4 War and new frontier designs". Modern China's Ethnic Frontiers: A Journey to the West. Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia. Routledge. pp. 136–. ISBN 978-1-136-92392-0.
  27. ^ Lin, Hsiao-ting (13 September 2010). "4 War and new frontier designs". Modern China's Ethnic Frontiers: A Journey to the West. Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia. Routledge. p. 137. ISBN 978-1-136-92392-0. Archived from the original on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  28. ^ David Sneath, "The Impact of the Cultural Revolution in China on the Mongolians of Inner Mongolia", in Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 28, No. 2 (May 1994), pp. 409–430.
  29. ^ Chi Chi Zhang, CNN (19 April 2012). "Ethnic Mongolians in China concerned about cultural threat". CNN. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  30. ^ "Ordos, China: A Modern Ghost Town". Time. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  31. ^ Day, Peter (17 March 2012). "Ordos: The biggest ghost town in China". BBC News. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  32. ^ "Inner Mongolians culture clash". CNN. 18 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  33. ^ http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/launches-09052013110502.html Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  34. ^ Gerry Shih (31 August 2020). "Chinese authorities face widespread anger in Inner Mongolia after requiring Mandarin-language classes". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  35. ^ Amy Qin (31 August 2020). "Curbs on Mongolian Language Teaching Prompt Large Protests in China". New York Times. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  36. ^ Luisetta Mudie, ed. (31 August 2020). "Mass Protests Erupt as China Moves to End Mongolian-Medium Teaching in Schools". Radio Free Asia. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Retrieved 1 September 2020. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
  37. ^ Peel, M. C. and Finlayson, B. L. and McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification" Archived 22 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 11: 1633–1644.
  38. ^ 中华人民共和国县以上行政区划代码 (in Simplified Chinese). Ministry of Civil Affairs. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  39. ^ Shenzhen Statistical Bureau. Archived copy 《深圳统计年鉴2014》 (in Simplified Chinese). China Statistics Print. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  40. ^ Census Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China; Population and Employment Statistics Division of the National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China (2012). 中国2010人口普查分乡、镇、街道资料 (1 ed.). Beijing: China Statistics Print. ISBN 978-7-5037-6660-2.
  41. ^ Ministry of Civil Affairs (August 2014). 《中国民政统计年鉴2014》 (in Simplified Chinese). China Statistics Print. ISBN 978-7-5037-7130-9.
  42. ^ a b c 国务院人口普查办公室、国家统计局人口和社会科技统计司编 (2012). 中国2010年人口普查分县资料. Beijing: China Statistics Print. ISBN 978-7-5037-6659-6.
  43. ^ a b "China Economy @ China Perspective". thechinaperspective.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.
  44. ^ "People's Daily Online – Inner Mongolia to double annual coal output by 2010". people.com.cn. Archived from the original on 27 June 2006. Retrieved 5 February 2006.
  45. ^ "People's Daily Online – Inner Mongolia's economy maintains a rapid growth momentum". people.com.cn. Archived from the original on 28 February 2006. Retrieved 5 February 2006.
  46. ^ Baotou National Rare-Earth Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone Archived 16 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  47. ^ RightSite.asia | Hohhot Export Processing Zone.
  48. ^ 中华人民共和国国家统计局关于第一次全国人口调查登记结果的公报 (in Chinese). National Bureau of Statistics of China. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009.
  49. ^ 第二次全国人口普查结果的几项主要统计数字 [Some major statistics on the results of the second national census] (in Chinese). National Bureau of Statistics of China. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012.
  50. ^ 中华人民共和国国家统计局关于一九八二年人口普查主要数字的公报 [The Bulletin of the National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China on the Major Figures of the 1982 Population Census] (in Chinese). National Bureau of Statistics of China. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012.
  51. ^ 中华人民共和国国家统计局关于一九九〇年人口普查主要数据的公报 (in Chinese). National Bureau of Statistics of China. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012.
  52. ^ 现将2000年第五次全国人口普查快速汇总的人口地区分布数据公布如下 (in Chinese). National Bureau of Statistics of China. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012.
  53. ^ "Communiqué of the National Bureau of Statistics of People's Republic of China on Major Figures of the 2010 Population Census" (in Chinese). National Bureau of Statistics of China. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013.
  54. ^ Myron Weiner, Sharon Stanton Russell(2001). Demography and national security. page 276, table 9.4.
  55. ^ "Who is Chinese? The Upper Han". The Economist. 19 November 2016. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  56. ^ Mongolia in the Twentieth Century. New York City: Rutledge. 1999. p. 213.
  57. ^ He, Shenghai; Eade, John (May 2015). "Unequal Marriage Exchange Between Majority and Minority Groups: A Case Study From Inner Mongolia, China" (PDF). Sociology Study. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  58. ^ Department of Population, Social, Science and Technology Statistics of the National Bureau of Statistics of China (国家统计局人口和社会科技统计司); Department of Economic Development of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of China (国家民族事务委员会经济发展司), eds. (2003). 《2010年人口普查中国民族人口资料》 [Tabulation on Nationalities of 2010 Population Census of China]. Beijing: Nationalities Publishing House (民族出版社). ISBN 978-7-105-05425-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: editors list (link)
  59. ^ a b c (without Rehe) 《中华人民共和国人口统计资料汇编1949—1985》 [People's Republic of demographic data compilation 1949–1985]. China Financial and Economic Publishing House (中国财政经济出版社). 1988. p. 924.
  60. ^ 1990年第四次人口普查 [4th National Census]. Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013..
  61. ^ National Bureau of Population and Social Science and Technology Statistics Division of China (国家统计局人口和社会科技统计司); Department of Economic Development of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of China (国家民族事务委员会经济发展司) (2003). 《2000年人口普查中国民族人口资料》 (in Chinese (China)). Beijing: Publishing House of Minority Nationalities. pp. 4–8. ISBN 978-7105054251.
  62. ^ 内蒙古自治区发布2010年第六次全国人口普查主要数据公报. Archived from the original on 12 July 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  63. ^ Beauvallet. "China insists Genghis Khan exhibit not use words 'Genghis Khan'". Archyde. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  64. ^ Tsung, Linda (27 October 2014). "3". Language Power and Hierarchy: Multilingual Education in China. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 59.
  65. ^ a b Janhunen, Juha (29 November 2012). "1". Mongolian. John Benjamins Publishing Company. p. 11.
  66. ^ Tsung, Linda (27 October 2014). "3". Language Power and Hierarchy: Multilingual Education in China. Bloomsbury Academic.
  67. ^ Iredale, Robyn; Bilik, Naran; Fei, Guo (2 August 2003). "4". China's Minorities on the Move: Selected Case Studies. p. 84.
  68. ^ Janhunen, Juha (29 November 2012). "1". Mongolian. John Benjamins Publishing Company. p. 16.
  69. ^ Otsuka, Hitomi (30 November 2012). "6". More Morphologies: Contributions to the Festival of Languages, Bremen, 17 Sep to 7 Oct, 2009. p. 99.
  70. ^ Iredale, Robyn (2 August 2003). "3". China's Minorities on the Move: Selected Case Studies. Routledge. pp. 56, 64–67.
  71. ^ Janhunen, Juha (29 November 2012). "1". Mongolian. John Benjamins Publishing Company. p. 11.Iredale, Robyn; Bilik, Naran; Fei, Guo (2 August 2003). "3". China's Minorities on the Move: Selected Case Studies. p. 61.
  72. ^ e.g. Sečenbaγatur, Qasgerel, Tuyaγ-a, B. ǰirannige, U Ying ǰe. 2005. Mongγul kelen-ü nutuγ-un ayalγun-u sinǰilel-ün uduridqal. Kökeqota: ÖMAKQ.
  73. ^ e.g. Janhunen, Juha. 2006. Mongolic languages. In: Brown, K. (ed.): The encyclopedia of language & linguistics. Amsterdam: Elsevier: 231–234.
  74. ^ Sečenbaγatur et al. 2005: 85.
  75. ^ Janhunen, Juha. 1997. The languages of Manchuria in today's China. In: Northern Minority languages: Problems of survival. Senri ethnological studies, 44: 123–146. See pages 130–133.
  76. ^ Fenggang Yang, Graeme Lang. Social Scientific Studies of Religion in China. BRILL, 2012. ISBN 9004182462. pp. 184–185, reporting the results of surveys held in 2004 by the Minzu University of China. Quote from page 185: «[...] the registered adherents of the five official religions comprise only 3.7% of those [populations] in Inner Mongolia. When we compare this final statistic with Minzu University research team's finding that 80% of the inhabitants of Inner Mongolia worship Tian (loosely translated "Heaven") and aobao (traditional stone structures that serve as altars for sacrifice), it is evident that the official calculations of registered religious believers are markedly low, and the policy decisions based on these numbers lack the necessary grounding in reality. [...] Foreign religions can be transformed into indigenous ethnic religions, and the traditional folk religions of China's ethnic minorities can integrate and neutralize non-native religions. Thus, China's ethnic religions should not be regarded as social burdens or challenges, but rather as valuable cultural assets.»
  77. ^ Jiayu Wu, Yong Fang (2016). Study on the Protection of the Lama Temple Heritage in Inner Mongolia as a Cultural Landscape Archived 7 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, v. 15 n. 1, January 2016. Note that the article, in an evident mistranslation from Chinese, reports 30 million Tibetan Buddhists in Inner Mongolia instead of 3 million.
  78. ^ Chinese Spiritual Life Survey (CSLS) 2007, China General Social Survey (CGSS) 2009. Results reported by: Xiuhua Wang (2015, p. 15) Archived 25 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  79. ^ Min Junqing. The Present Situation and Characteristics of Contemporary Islam in China. JISMOR, 8. 2010 Islam by province, page 29 Archived 27 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Data from: Yang Zongde, Study on Current Muslim Population in China, Jinan Muslim, 2, 2010.
  80. ^ John Man. Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection. Bantam Press, London, 2004. ISBN 9780553814989. pp. 402–404.
  81. ^ John Man. Genghis Khan. Bantam, 2005. ISBN 0553814982. p. 23.
  82. ^ Qin, Amy. "Curbs on Mongolian Language Teaching Prompt Large Protests in China". NYTIMES. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 19 September 2020 suggested (help)

Further reading

  • Wang, Liping. "From Masterly Brokers to Compliant Protégées: The Frontier Governance System and the Rise of Ethnic Confrontation in China–Inner Mongolia, 1900–1930." American Journal of Sociology 120.6 (2015): 1641–1689.
  • Williams, Dee Mack. Beyond great walls: environment, identity, and development on the Chinese grasslands of Inner Mongolia (Stanford University Press, 2002). Online
  • Borjigin, Monkbat. "A case study of Language education in the Inner Mongolia " (Archive; Japanese title: 内モンゴル自治区における言語教育について). Journal of Chiba University Eurasian Society (千葉大学ユーラシア言語文化論集) 16, 261–266, 2014-09-25. Chiba University Eurasian Society (千葉大学ユーラシア言語文化論講座). See profile at Chiba University Repository. See profile at CiNii. – In English with a Japanese abstract.
  • Yin-tʻang Chang (1933). The Economic Development and Prospects of Inner Mongolia (Chahar, Suiyuan, and Ningsia). Commercial Press, Limited. p. 117.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Inner Mongolia.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Inner_Mongolia&oldid=1032176269"