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    Mongolians of Xinjiang

    Written by: Shi Xiaoqi
    Posted on: April 30, 2014 | | 中文

    With a population of 180,000, most Mongolians in Xinjiang live in the Bayingguoleng and Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefectures and the Hobukoser Mongolian Autonomous County.
     
    The Xinjiang Mongolians have their own spoken and written language, which is the Oirat dialect of the Mongolian language; it belongs to the Mongolian group of the Altaic Language Family. The writing system used to be “Tuote” but now the “Hudum” system is used instead.

    The Xinjiang Mongolians are the offspring of the Oirat Tribe-union. In the mid-18th century, the Qing Court put down the rebellions of Zhunggar Mongols in Ili and reorganized the local Erutes Mongols under the Manchu Eight-Banner system. In 1771, more than 100,000 Turghut Mongols, led by their leader, Khan Wobaxi, returned to China from the Volga River Valley of Tsarist Russia. Their offspring now mainly live in the Bayinguoleng Prefecture, and the Hobukersar and Jinghe Counties. In 1764 and 1813, the Qing Court ordered a group of Chahar Mongols to move from the northern part of Hebei Province to Xinjiang, and now their descendants mainly live in Bole and Wenquan Counties in the Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture.

    The Mongols were nomads. Beef, mutton, dairy products and food made of flour constituted their staple food items. They also made “milk wine” with the milk of cows and sheep. Their dress comprised of Mongolian style long gowns. In pastoral areas, the Mongolian herdsmen lived in yurts, which were usually seven to eight feet high and ten feet in diameter. Mongolians believed in Shamanism in ancient times, although after the 16th century, their beliefs gradually began to shift towards the dge-lugs-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism). But traces of Shamanism can still be seen in the everyday folk customs of the Mongolian people.

    Jianger, an epic of the Oirat Mongols, is one of the three famous epics in China. The Mongols have traditionally been known as “a people of music and poetry”. The horse-head fiddle is their most favored musical instrument and the “Tuoburshu” or two-string fiddle, is also very popular among the Mongols in Xinjiang. Their most important folk celebration is the Spring Festival. Another interesting celebration is the “Nadam,” a grassland gathering of Xinjiang Mongols, which combines entertainment, sports and shows depicting folklore.   
     


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021