PRESIDENT OF MONGOLIA ADDRESSES STATE GREAT KHURAL’S PLENARY SESSION ON OCCASION OF 106TH ANNIVERSARY OF RESTORATION OF INDEPENDENCE
On December 28, President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga attended today’s plenary session of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia and delivered speech for celebration of the 106th anniversary of Restoration of Independence of Mongolians.
In his speech, the President said, “Speaker and Members of Parliament,
Dear citizens of Mongolia, and the Mongolians dispersed throughout the world,
Fellow countrymen, brothers and sisters with whom I share this land, and
Dear Mongolists from around the world,
On this day when the cold of the first nine days of frost hits, Mongolians created unforgettable history. Our ancestors who once ruled the world while maintaining great peace had endured bitter fate that brought 200 years of oppression and threat of being forgotten.
Nonetheless, a line of wonderful events took place and led to the happening of the history of the 29th of December, 1911, at this very place where Queen River Tuul and King Mountain Bogd reside. Notwithstanding the harsh conditions the cold winter days of 1911 had provided for the noble descendants of Chinggis Khaan and wise men of religious and scientific fields, who held out their invincible effort, they restored the sovereign state of Mongolians. Historians and scholars prove that Mongolians had sensibly and wisely captured the opportunity which provided favorable international circumstances to implement their intentions for rebuilding independence and national freedom. In doing so, our predecessors still maintained the core values and traditions of Mongolian Statehood.
While the world powers and other Asian and European nations saw us as the “forgotten Mongolia” and a “nation going extinct”, our predecessors had succeeded in preserving the original lineage, blood and heritages of statehood. These became the roots of the concept of Mongolians’ protest for national independence in terms of politics and religion. Today, we are remembering the victory of this fight and rebirth of Mongolia. Tomorrow, we are solemnly marking the historic anniversary.
Bogd Jibzundamba was exalted as the Monarch and the symbol of religious and cultural unity of the nation, comprising of Mongolians in Mongolia, the Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Tuvan Uriankhai, Buryatia, Hohnur and Alxa, who became parts of one whole nation in their hearts and sent their prayers to the capital city of Mongolia which was then called Ikh Khuree. This is how the history unfolds. This is how the fire of independence ignited in the heart of Mongolian land.
The new Mongolian state was built in pursuance of the state structures by Chinggis Khaan and Khubilai Khaan. Although the Monarch Bogd Jibzundamba was a Tibetan, Mongolians had worshiped him as the reincarnation of High Saint Jibzundamba, a descendant of Abatai Sain Khaan of Mongolia. Such humongous respect from the Mongolian people helped Bogd Jibzundamba to hold the rule of Mongolia which once belonged to the Great Chinggis Khaan.
A hundred and six years ago, Mongolians from around the region and distinguishable figures of politics and religion have demonstrated great honor, having selflessly dedicated their lives to establishing adequate political culture and discipline. Their deeds must be honored and remembered by all Mongolian people of all generations.
The distinguished personalities had made many sacrifices to strengthen mutual understanding between the newfound Mongolia and China, which has separated from the Qing Dynasty along with Mongolians, maintaining long-standing friendship with the Imperial Russia, establishing agreements, sending Ambassadors to other countries and having them to recognize Mongolia’s independence.
Unfortunately, circumstances of the time were difficult. Every great power had their hands and hearts in fight for taking over the less powerful. However, a little or more were accomplished in the areas of promoting domestic economy, distribution of mineral and other natural resources, cancelling foreign concessions in mining that had been depleting riches, increasing taxes on companies, educating the people in cultures of the East and West and introducing the world to Mongolians.
The yellowing pages of history reveal that the crimes of abusing the supreme political positions for one’s personal gains, corruption and violation of laws were not left unpunished at the time. We must remember and respect that they built a state which embodied justice and discipline. History is a combination of mistakes and merits. History is a train coming from the past, passing through the present and destined for the future.
Unluckily, 1915’s Kyakhta agreement was bound to encourage selfishness among Mongolian political leaders and chased loyal and fair protesters out of the capital. Since 1915, trust among the people had been defiled. Thus, the dark period of history must also be remembered.
Luckily, the new era of revolution in Russia and its impact on Mongolia led the revolutionaries of Mongolia, consisting mainly of intellectuals and merchants to start the People’s Revolution that won in 1921. Revolutions and movements of 1921 and 1990 were the successors of the 1911’s events in terms of ideology and concept. Today’s Mongolia is the embodiment of united effort and fight of our predecessors, their intentions and values for their nation.
If we reconsider what we can do for our fellow countrymen, fate and value of our homeland, and for strengthening the independence of Mongolia on this day each year, the celebration will be even more meaningful than the celebration of new year.
I wish those who made mistakes would correct his mistakes, those who have forgotten would remember, and those who have worked hard would achieve the desired.
May the Eternal Skies always watch over the Mongolian State.
May the Independence of Mongolia exist forever.
Thank You,” said the President.