CHINA-MONGOLIA: DALAI LAMA
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Mongolia's Foreign MinisterTsend Munkh-Orgil expressed regret, during an interview on December 21, 2016, to the local newspaper 'Unuudur', that the Dalai Lama’s visit last month had hurt ties with Beijing and said “You can understand that during the full term of this government, the Dalai Lama will not be allowed to visit Mongolia even for religious purposes.” China’s Foreign Ministry responded the same day that Beijing “attached importance” to the remarks by Mongolia’s top diplomat and hoped the country would “honor the commitment” it has made on the issue. Following the Dalai Lama's visit the Chinese Government immediately suspended discussions on a possible US$ 4.2 billion loan by Beijing to deal with Mongolia's recession, deferred visits by Mongolia’s Deputy Prime Minister and legislators, and effectively blocked a major border -- through which at least 1,000 trucks carrying copper and coal pass every day -- by imposing new fees and requirements on shipments.
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