Mongolia needs to come out of isolation

Comments on Justin Li “Chinese investment in Mongolia: An uneasy courtship between Goliath and David”, 2/02/2011, http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/02/02/chinese-investment-in-mongolia-an-uneasy-courtship-between-goliath-and-david/

Energy and commodities are highly globally traded products, and there is no need to diversify for diversification's sake.

No matter how diversification could be done, China is the largest user and importers for many commodities and that does put a limitation on diversification.

Rather than fearing being too dependent on China, Mongolia needs to meet the challenges associated with its geographical location by joining regional organisations and participating in regional and global economic integration and be an organic part of it and benefit from it.

There is no easy escape from economic integration into isolation and benefit from isolation.

If Mongolia continues to resist regional economic integration, it runs the risk of paying a high price.

PS: It is interesting to see that now Mongolia is afraid of Chinese influence while in history the Mongols conquered China and ruled it for hundreds of years.