Mongolia Brief August 22, 2014 Part III



Stock Exchange news for August 22
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, August 22 (MONTSAME) At the Stock Exchange trades on Friday, a total of 3 million 736 thousand and 591 shares of 13 JSCs were traded costing 452 million 155 thousand and 579.00 Togrog.

"Genco tour bureau” /3 million 515 thousand and 540 units/, “Mongolia Development” /220 thousand  381 units/, “Bishrelt Industrial” /176/, “Gobi” /139/ and "Remikon” /120 units/ were the most actively traded in terms of trading volume, in terms of trading value were "Genco tour bureau” (MNT 316 million 398 thousand and 600), "Mongolia development” (MNT 132 million 258 thousand and 850), "Darkhan Nekhii” (MNT one million 188 thousand and 200), "Gobi” (MNT one million 98 thousand and 100) and "Bishrelt industrial” (MNT 792 thousand).
The total market capitalization was set at MNT one trillion 621 billion 970 million 050 thousand and 130. The Index of Top-20 JSCs was 16,000.02, of increasing 0.59% against the previous day. The experimental index MSE ALL was 997.08, increasing 0.11% against the previous day.

"Motherland is calling" in theatres, starting today
By B. Amarsaikhan
Ulaanbaatar, August 22 (MONTSAME) The premiere of the Mongolian “Ekh oron duudaj baina” (Motherland is calling) feature film ran Friday, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Khalkh River Battle.
The movie starts with three young men celebrating a friend’s birthday and having a good time and  playing with shotguns in a mountain, until when they were suddenly transferred to the past, namely to the battlefield of Khalkh River of 1939.    
The critics view this movie as a work of international standards, as it was created with ASC-CDL technology (used in Avengers and Iron Man).
The team includes a director and author V.Agar, senior cameraman D.Angarag, producer S.Ochirkhuyag, and young actors E.Uuganbayar, B.Battulga and G.Dulguun-Ayush.

Xi Jinping: I re-emphasize that China respects the independence, territorial integrity and development choice of Mongolia
August 22 (business-mongolia.com) Xi Jinping: I re-emphasize that China respects the independence, territorial integrity and development choice Mongolia, and it will continue generation by generation.
Chairman Xi and President Elbegdorj made media statement at the State Ceremonial Hall.
President Elbegdorj said that “Chairman Xi Jinping is visiting to Mongolia first time as Chairman of People’s Republic of China. Both parties agree that this state visit will confirm the level of cooperation and established friendly relations between Mongolia and China, and will further develop the current level and determine the prospect of it.
During the visit, Chairman Xi Jinping and I had personal meeting and official meeting. The meeting was held under the great comfort and friendly atmosphere. We exchanged our point of views on the interested issues and reached important conclusions and agreements. The most importantly, we consider our relations as the profound strategic partnership and signed on the memorandum of further development of such relations. I would like to mention core principles of the Statement here:
“Parties will mutually respect each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and adhere the principles of non-aggression stance, non-intervention in the domestic affairs, mutually balanced and beneficial relations, and peaceful co-existence and mutually respect each other’s development path.
Plus, he emphasizes that “Parties shall not conduct any activities, sign any agreement or pact, join any alliance and allow or accept any third countries, organizations and alliances to  perform any activities to harm and damage each other’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Today’s joint statement is clear expression of the historical importance of Chairman Xi’s visit to Mongolia, and determines fundament of the two-nations’ relations, confirms the willingness of further development of such relations, and opens wide opportunity to mutually balanced and openly solve any issues between two nations.
During the visit, many negotiations and agreement was made between the Government officials and Ministers of two countries and signs over 30 agreement and MoU. This is the clear example of the visit’s constructiveness.
Since Mongolia is being landlocked country, I would like to mention here the importance of railway transit transportation agreement with People’s Republic of China. Through the agreement, we solved many issues such as sea ports, new railway border crossings, destinations, load capacity, terms of the agreement and other exemptions.
We say …“Rain welcomes good-will bearer” and it means you are the good will bearer and our people welcome you with good heart. (Mongolian climate is mostly dry and when rain comes herders are happy for their pasture and animal. Therefore, when visitor coincides with rain coming, it is always respectful sign)
Chairman Xi Jinping said that “…using this opportunity I would like to re-emphasize that China respects the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and development choice of the people of Mongolia. Also China considers China-Mongolian relations as the primary direction of our foreign policy. Together with Mongolia, China is ready to be a mutually trusted, responsible and good neighbor, good friend and good partner. Through joint effort, we, as much as Mongolia, are ready to become a heartfelt friendly neighbor with mutual interests. Let’s work together to build joint prosperity and development through cooperation and mutual support.
Two nations will continue their cooperation in the projects of “Silk Road Economic Zone”, “Steppe Road” initiative and Asian Business Development Bank. China supports the Mongolian initiative of Three Nations Summit, China, Mongolia and Russia.
Today is nice humid day. As President Elbegdorj said, cooperation humid is arriving together with wind of friendship. It is a sign of improvement of the two nations relations into the new era and new future.
I invite you President Elbegdorj to the APEC Meeting which will be held in China this November.

Official documents signed on Xi Jinping’s visit to Mongolia
August 22 (business-mongolia.com) Signed documents:
Joint Statement on Development of profound strategic partnership relations between Mongolia and People’s Republic of China
Inter-Governmental Protocol on the performance of the bilateral agreement between Mongolia and People’s Republic of China in 1949 – 2012.
Cooperation Protocol between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China
Protocol on official draft exchange of the Agreement on prisoner transfer between Mongolia and People’s Republic of China
Inter-Governmental Agreement on “access to the seaport and transit transport”
Inter-Governmental General Agreement on development of cooperation of the railway transit transport.
Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding on Development of Railway Cooperation.
Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Road and Transportation of Mongolia and Railway Authority of People’s Republic of China on renewal of the “Mongolia and China Border Railway Agreement”
Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Mining of Mongolia and National Development and Innovation Committee of People’s Republic of China on cooperation in intensifying coal deep processing
Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Economic Development of Mongolia and National Development and Innovation Committee of People’s Republic of China on the establishment of Mongolian-Chinese Council of Mineral, Energy and Infrastructure.
Medium Term Program to develop trade and economic cooperation between Mongolia and China
Inter-Governmental Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation
Exchange letter to build the Development Center for Disabled Children in Ulaanbaatar by the Grant Aid of the People’s Republic of China
Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Economic Development of Mongolia and Ministry of Trade of People’s Republic of China on the establishment of Mongolian-Chinese Economic Free Zone.
Special Loan Agreement on “E-Health” between Ministry of Economic Development and EXIM Bank of China.
Special Loan Agreement on “New Century Education” between Ministry of Economic Development and EXIM Bank of China.
Special Loan Agreement on “Procurement of Heavy Tractor” between Ministry of Economic Development and EXIM Bank of China.
Agreement on “Mongolia-China Border Port Management Cooperation Commission” between National Council of Border Port of Mongolia and General Customs Office of People’s Republic of China on
Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia and Ministry of Science and Technology of People’s Republic of China on the building state laboratory
Agreement between Ministry of Education and Science of Mongolia and Ministry of Science and Technology of People’s Republic of China scientist exchange program
Cultural Exchange Protocol between Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism of Mongolia and Ministry of Culture of People’s Republic of China.
Swap Agreement of MNT and Yuan between Mongolbank and People’s Bank of China.
Memorandum of Understanding between Mongolbank and Bank Monitoring Committee of People’s Republic of China.
Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Oil Authority of Mongolia and National Corporation of Oil of People’s Republic of China.
162 million US$ commercial loan agreement between Development Bank of Mongolia and Development Bank of People’s Republic of China.
Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Economic Development of Mongolia and National Development and Innovation Committee of People’s Republic of China on the establishment of Mongolian-Chinese Council of Mineral, Energy and Infrastructure.

Minister Ts.Oyungerel: Bat’s defamation charge is a threat to democracy and free expression
By B. Khash-Erdene and Lisa Gardner
August 24 (UB Post) Minister of Culture Ts.Oyungerel has issued a scathing assessment of the recent libel case which saw her brother, Ts. Bat, imprisoned for some three months for criticizing Transport Minister A.Gansukh on Twitter.
In an exclusive interview with the UB Post, the Culture Minister blasted Minister Gansukh for what she sees as a significant threat to Mongolian democratic values. ”[This case] gives a very bad message about Mongolia … We have democracy, we have human rights, that all countries are struggling for. But if we lose it from within, what will we turn into? It is very bad news for Mongolian citizens, for Mongolia’s future, for Mongolian democracy.”
The minister highlighted a significant deficit in legal protection for those who come forward. “I think that this [case] shows that Mongolia doesn’t have any protection for whistleblowers,” she said. “It’s because of the deficits in the protections of our citizens, this is our misjudgment… My brother is a professional engineer who had a twenty-year long career in Mongolian aviation. That’s why he knows what’s happening in Mongolian aviation, and if he doesn’t like something, he will express it.”
Minister Oyungerel believes the case was politically motivated. “If I list all the punishments that (Bat) received over the course of the past two years, we can say that it was political,” she says. “Imprisonment is just a culmination of what is happening between the whistleblower and the Minister.”
Both the Culture and Transport ministers have come into conflict in the past as a result of her longstanding opposition to the privatization of MIAT, a policy then led by the Transport Minister. “When the Minister of Transport rallied strongly to privatize MIAT a few years ago, I was his main opposition in the Parliament,” said Minister Oyungerel.
The minister expressed dismay that her brother received a harsher-than-expected sentence. “I was so shocked to hear that it was imprisonment,” she said. “I didn’t attend the court hearing, but I did attend the reading of the court verdict. So when the judge read the verdict, she said that the State Prosecutor wanted to issue a fine… But the judge said, ‘but because Bat is unemployed, I order imprisonment.’ The lower your social status, the harsher the punishment – that was the logic in that verdict.”
The minister described the case as “unequal”, with Minister Gansukh using his government position as a means of leverage.
“I’m also shocked that the minister filed his complaint on his ministry’s letterhead – with the stamp of the Ministry – so that gives him an unequal power against a citizen,” Oyungerel said, “a citizen who doesn’t have a job, or doesn’t have other status, and doesn’t have government protection. So I think there’s an unequal fight going on, with power being used against citizens’ freedom, and I, of course, stand with citizens’ rights.”
Ts.Bat had been on medical leave when he was fired for speaking out against Gansukh, and his health is frail, according to his sister. “[Bat] is worried about his health, as he has a very strict dietary regime. That regime is now gone because of the prison regime… His condition will quickly deteriorate… His attorney asked if he could be placed in the prison hospital. Today (on Wednesday) I heard that he was moved there.”
Support has emerged online for Bat’s release, with small protests from the local Twitter community taking place in Chinggis Khan Square earlier in the week, and the hashtag “#FreeBat” receiving increased mentions online.
“Since when is social network deemed as press media. Which law mentions this? #FreeBat,” said Twitter user @iTulga.
“If a minister’s sibling Bat engineer is arrested, some nobody like us will just go hoop #FreeBAT,” said another, @BaagiiJr
Local free expression advocates also expressed their dismay at the ruling. Khashkhuu Naranjargal, executive director of Globe International, described the case as “a brutal action… completely against freedom of expression standards and democratic values.”
Transport Minister Gansukh has been publicly tight-lipped about the case since it first began last October. His office could not be reached for comment in relation to the ruling.
Minister Oyungerel also described Mongolia’s criminal defamation law as a question of Mongolian democracy. “Since 2000, I have been advocating to decriminalize defamation. But it still hasn’t happened that way. Our government actually submitted a draft law – a law on the criminal code – that would decriminalize defamation and libel. But the new law has not been passed yet,” she said.
“Minister Gansukh actually signed in support of the new draft as a Cabinet Member. So his philosophy is very different from his signatory, supposedly in support of decriminalizing defamation.”
Minister Oyungerel said that she will continue to speak out about the case and on freedom of speech, “On human rights, and on freedom of speech, I have always been outspoken – without the borders of party. I have defended any media, any journalist, without even asking who they are. For me, the right of freedom of speech is a lifetime goal.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Mongolia
August 24 (UB Post) Chinese President Xi Jinping is paying a two-day state visit with his wife Peng Liyuan at the invitation of Mongolia Prsident Ts.Elbegdorj.
They arrived at around 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Unofficial sources report that Xi Jinping and representatives accompanying him are staying in Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel.
Official negotiations between Mongolian President Ts.Elbegdorj and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a Cabinet of the State House was held on Thursday.
The presidents attended a signing ceremony at the Ceremonial Hall of the State House and press conference was held.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Mongolian Prime Minister N.Altankhuyag at the State House today, as well as the Speaker of Parliament Z.Enkbold.
He will also attend the opening ceremony of the photographic exhibition “Review of Chinese Mongolian Trade and Economic Relations” at Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel watch “Besreg Naadam” mini-festival with his wife Peng Liyuan at Chingisiin Khuree Tourist Camp leave at 5:30 p.m.

Chairman of the Parliament and Mayor of UB meet with Japanese representatives
August 24 (UB Post) On Wednesday, Chairman of the Parliament Z.Enkhbold called on delegates led by the Chairman of the Japanese-Mongolian Friendship Group of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, Motoo Hayashi.
Z.Enkhbold expressed his gratitude for the visit to Mongolia by the three heads of the Japanese-Mongolian Friendship Group. The Chairman of the Parliament underlined that developing bilateral friendly relations with Japan is one of the major goals of Mongolian foreign policy and emphasized that Mongolia places high priority on developing strategic partnership relations with Japan. Z.Enkhbold stated his satisfaction with the economic partnership agreement (EPA) agreed to be established during the Mongolian President’s visit to Japan in July. This agreement is believed to take the nations to a new level of strategic partnership.
Motoo Hayashi replied that he is also satisfied that bilateral relations and cooperation, especially strategic relations and economic partnership, are developing well and said that the Japanese side will be pleased to contribute to the Mongolian private sector. He added that the visit by the delegates marked the 40th anniversary of Japanese-Mongolian cultural relations and noted participation in the opening of the joint exhibition of Japanese-Mongolian artists, “Sky, Sun, and Partnership”.
The meeting was attended by the following officials: representatives of the Mongolian Friendship Group of Japanese Parliament; Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mongolia Takenori Shimizu; MP, Chairman of the Mongolian-Japanese Parliamentary Group, and DP Leader D.Erdenebat; MP and Deputy Chairman of the DP S.Odontuya; MPs O.Baasankhuu and Su.Batbold; Mongolian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan; Secretariat of the Parliament B.Boldbaatar and others.
The Office of Media and Public Relations of Parliament reports that there are three Japanese-led friendship groups, including the Mongolian Friendship Group at the Privy of the Japanese Parliament, the Friendship Group in the House of Representatives, and group for support of Japanese-Mongolian relations of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Governor of Ulaanbaatar E.Bat-Uul met with delegates led by Japanese Parliamentary Member of the Representative House Issei Koga and shared views on UB’s development.
The Governor said, “I appreciate meeting with you and I want to first express my gratitude to the Japanese people, Parliament and MPs for their assistance and support at difficult times. We created the development plan of UB through 2020 and ideas through 2030 thanks to the Japanese Government, and the plan was approved by the Parliament. We need your assistance and support in implementing the long-term plan.”
Koga Issei replied, “We can see that UB’s development and upgrades are growing quickly. It’s important to start good implementation of the general plan, so we will support you.”
A shareholder of Suruga Corporation, Jinkyou Hong, attended the meeting and reported to the Governor that the corporation has operating in UB for 12 years and has over 300 Mongolian employees.
The Governor said, “Thank you to Suruga Corporation for providing citizens with quality apartments. I hope that your corporation will contribute to investments in UB from the Japanese private sector. We will support you in legal frameworks.”
Closing the meeting, E.Bat-Uul asked for the Japanese government’s support on the issue of a UB metro.

Chairman of the Parliament and Mayor of UB meet with Japanese representatives
August 24 (UB Post) On Wednesday, Chairman of the Parliament Z.Enkhbold called on delegates led by the Chairman of the Japanese-Mongolian Friendship Group of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, Motoo Hayashi.
Z.Enkhbold expressed his gratitude for the visit to Mongolia by the three heads of the Japanese-Mongolian Friendship Group. The Chairman of the Parliament underlined that developing bilateral friendly relations with Japan is one of the major goals of Mongolian foreign policy and emphasized that Mongolia places high priority on developing strategic partnership relations with Japan. Z.Enkhbold stated his satisfaction with the economic partnership agreement (EPA) agreed to be established during the Mongolian President’s visit to Japan in July. This agreement is believed to take the nations to a new level of strategic partnership.
Motoo Hayashi replied that he is also satisfied that bilateral relations and cooperation, especially strategic relations and economic partnership, are developing well and said that the Japanese side will be pleased to contribute to the Mongolian private sector. He added that the visit by the delegates marked the 40th anniversary of Japanese-Mongolian cultural relations and noted participation in the opening of the joint exhibition of Japanese-Mongolian artists, “Sky, Sun, and Partnership”.
The meeting was attended by the following officials: representatives of the Mongolian Friendship Group of Japanese Parliament; Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mongolia Takenori Shimizu; MP, Chairman of the Mongolian-Japanese Parliamentary Group, and DP Leader D.Erdenebat; MP and Deputy Chairman of the DP S.Odontuya; MPs O.Baasankhuu and Su.Batbold; Mongolian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan; Secretariat of the Parliament B.Boldbaatar and others.
The Office of Media and Public Relations of Parliament reports that there are three Japanese-led friendship groups, including the Mongolian Friendship Group at the Privy of the Japanese Parliament, the Friendship Group in the House of Representatives, and group for support of Japanese-Mongolian relations of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Governor of Ulaanbaatar E.Bat-Uul met with delegates led by Japanese Parliamentary Member of the Representative House Issei Koga and shared views on UB’s development.
The Governor said, “I appreciate meeting with you and I want to first express my gratitude to the Japanese people, Parliament and MPs for their assistance and support at difficult times. We created the development plan of UB through 2020 and ideas through 2030 thanks to the Japanese Government, and the plan was approved by the Parliament. We need your assistance and support in implementing the long-term plan.”
Koga Issei replied, “We can see that UB’s development and upgrades are growing quickly. It’s important to start good implementation of the general plan, so we will support you.”
A shareholder of Suruga Corporation, Jinkyou Hong, attended the meeting and reported to the Governor that the corporation has operating in UB for 12 years and has over 300 Mongolian employees.
The Governor said, “Thank you to Suruga Corporation for providing citizens with quality apartments. I hope that your corporation will contribute to investments in UB from the Japanese private sector. We will support you in legal frameworks.”
Closing the meeting, E.Bat-Uul asked for the Japanese government’s support on the issue of a UB metro.
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