"We want to show the world that so-called Western values not only belong to America, Europe, South Korea and Japan, but to Mongolia," Elbegdorj said, proud that Mongolia survives as a multiparty democracy in an authoritarian sea, with China to the south, Russia to the north, North Korea to the east and the autarchies of Central Asia to the west.
Exactly why is a matter of debate. Historically, Mongolians have been receptive to new ideas and gifted at foreign languages, a heritage of living for centuries on the Silk Road from Asia to Europe. Following 300 years of domination, first by China and then by the Soviet Union, moreover, they have an acute sense of the value of freedom.
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