Mongolia Looks Afar in Its Quest for New 'Neighbors'

A glance at a Central Asian map suggests why. Two enormous neighbors, China and Russia, surround Mongolia. With a population of 2.5 million, the country would be practically powerless to defend its 5,000-mile border if either dinosaur got hungry.

In response, Mongolia has gone looking for new neighbors. Because it can't up and move, Mongolia's "third-neighbor" policy tries to find allies who aren't on its doorstep. And the United States tops the list.

For most of the last century, Mongolia has eyed Russia warmly and China -- its centuries-long ruler -- warily. The country's Moscow-led communist rule was brutal, but the Soviets also built roads, spurred industrialization and raised literacy rates. Most Mongolians also feel a cultural affinity with Russia, down to the warm bearhugs. Most polls show that 60% of Mongolians consider Russia their closest ally, with China sixth or seventh.

Mongolia would like to sell more minerals and livestock -- the backbone of its economy -- to Russia. But Moscow's economic problems have damped demand even as a booming China salivates over Mongolia's resources and wide-open spaces.

"China is becoming sort of an empire," Mongolian Prime Minister Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj said, sitting in a giant ceremonial hall next to his office. "We hope they can become a responsible empire

When Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Ulan Bator, the Mongolian capital, last year, he reassured Mongolians that China had no territorial designs on their country. Although this was comforting, some noted wryly that Chinese leaders didn't make similar statements when visiting France or the United States.

In truth, Ulan Bator is less afraid that China will grab territory than that Beijing's economic and political influence will overwhelm Mongolia, undermining its identity and making it so dependent that it must do China's bidding.

China accounted for 36% of direct investment in Mongolia last year, a figure likely to grow as several mining projects come on line. Beijing is also expanding its influence over its poorer neighbor with loans and grants.