Chinese policy in Inner Mongolia: historical and political excursus

The article describes the Chinese policy in respect to Inner Mongolia in the 13th-19th centuries. Thearticle tells about the main periods of frontier relations and cooperation between Mongols and the Chinese. The first period (Yuan'sepoch, 1271-1368) is represented by the inclusion of the Chinese Empire into the Mongol Empire. But there were no direct contactsbetween the territories, because Mongols looted the northern frontiers, and Chinese administration could not organize the trade withMongols in this region. The second period of relations (Ming's epoch, 1368-1644) is characterized by the Chinese spreading policy inrespect to South Mongolia. Altan Khan (grandson of Dayan Khan) started to develop Thumed plain and built the trading city Hohhot.Also by Altan's initiative the exchange markets in Hohhot and Datong were opened. Altan Khan established solid relations with Chinaand due to this South Mongolia could develop its economy and receive maintenance of Ming administration. He was one of the famousand powerful Mongolian khans after Kublai Khan, who established Yuan Dynasty in China. Also during Ming's epoch the legalimmigration of Han's peasants from China to South Mongolia was opened. The South Mongolian lands started active agriculturedevelopment, in particular on Thumed plain. Also in this period the first border appeared between Khalkha and South Mongolia. Theseparation allowed South Mongolia to become more dependent on China. The third period (Qing's epoch, 1644-1911) is presented bythe inclusion of South Mongolia (Inner Mongolia) and Khalkha (Outer Mongolia) into China and dramatically developing relationsbetween China and Mongolian lands. Back then the name of Inner Mongolia appeared as describing a part of the Chinese Empire. InnerMongolia was assigned the official administrative status of a Chinese province, but Outer Mongolia stayed in vassal relation with China.At the end of the17th century China started to provide strong policy in respect to Inner Mongolia and Khalkha in order to weaken theseterritories by a political way. In the 18th century the Chinese policy towards Inner Mongolia changed into the smooth way. InnerMongolia and Khalkha obtained more political freedom and independence according to the policy of harmonization. These three phasesshow the difference of relations and cooperation between China and Inner Mongolia. It also shows the evolution of Chinese policytowards Inner Mongolia. The development of relations led to the economic and political dependency of Inner Mongolia from China.

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