2016 was the most important year of Mongolian political and economic life and foreign relations for many years. The News Agency has named the Top 5 events in Mongolia over the past twelve months. They are:

1. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

In June, no-one would have expected that the Mongolian Democratic Party would suffer such a crushing defeat and win only 9 seats; this is just enough to establish a party group in State Great Khural (parliament). The winner of the election was the Mongolian People's Party. History repeats itself –  16 years, ago the Mongolian People’s Party won an almost identical victory taking 65 seats in the 76 seat State Great Khural.

 In November, the 6th Convention of the Mongolian Democratic Party (DP) began at the Central Palace Culture after 10 years break. Still reeling from their defeat in the polls, the DP is seeing a new leader to lead the party forward.

2. INTERNATIONAL LEADERS COME TO ULAANBAATAR FOR ASEM

The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM11) Summit was held in Ulaanbaatar on 15-16 July. Nearly 5000 international guests visited the Mongolian capital; 4000 representatives from 51 countries and ASEAN leaders as well as over 600 journalist flooded into the city. It is first time that Mongolia has welcomed such a large number of international guests since the days of Guyug the third Great Khan of the Mongol Empire (1206–1248), who welcomed a 4000-strong foreign delegation when he reigned. On this occasion, President Park Geun-hye of South Korea, Premier Li Keqiang of China,  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, President of the European Council Donald Tusk and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker were among the high-profile leaders attending ASEM.

This year’s ASEM Summit marks the 20th anniversary of Asia-Europe Meeting; its theme was “Partnership for the Future through Connectivity.”

3. MONGOLIA CLAIMS 100% OWNERSHIP OF ERDENET MINING CORPORATION

The Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC), the main breadwinner of the Mongolian economy, has been officially transferred to full Mongolia’s ownership. The 49% share, previously owned by Russia was transferred  to the “Mongolian Copper” Company. The announcement of the transaction was made by  Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg – literally on the eve of the  June parliamentary election.

The Mongolian government held 51 percent and the Russia's Rostech Corporation 49 percent of EMC. Following negotiations with Rostech, “Mongolian Copper” bought 49 percent with over USD 400 million, from the Trade Development Bank of Mongolia.

4. S.ZORIG MURDER TRIAL RESTARTS AFTER 18 YEARS

The murder trial of S.Zorig, one of the heroes of Mongolia's peaceful transition to democracy, began at the 461st detention center after 18 years or 6642 days since the event. Who murdered the politician has never been ascertained and rumours of cover ups and shady dealings abound. In the run-up to the election, calls for a new trial became ever stronger.

On the bench, M.Aldar, B.Munk-Erdene and S.Oyunchimeg are judging  the most famous case in the modern history of Mongolia. Ts.Amgalanbaatar and two other people are standing trial for the murder of the politician. Also, two witnesses have testified at the trial.

On October 2nd 1998, the then Mongolian Minister of Infrastructure S.Zorig was brutally murdered. Various people have been detained in connection with the case, most notably Zorig's wife B.Bulgan; she was released from prison on 9th September after having been held incommunicado since November 2015.

5. UNEXPECTED VISIT OF THE DALAI LAMA

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visited Mongolia in November. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and the world's most famous exile, the Dalai Lama stayed in Ulaanbaatar for five days. It was the 9th visit of the Tibetan Buddhist leader to Mongolia. During the visit, the daytime temperature fell to  minus 21-25’C in Ulaanbaatar, however, the 81-year old didn’t shirk the freezing temperatures but conducted daily teaching sessions for thousands of people who had travelled from all corners of the country (and from Russian Buryatia) to hear and see him in person – perhaps for the last time. The Dalai Lama also spoke about the reincarnation of the 10th Khutughtu. Speaking at a press conference at the ‘Ikh Tenger’ resort, the Dalai Lama said, ‘The 10th Khutughtu has already been born somewhere in Mongolia but is still too young to be crowned. We need to wait for 2-3 years until he will be 4-5 years old’.

Central to Buddhism is the concept of reincarnation. When a holy person is born in a new reincarnation, there is a special process for finding and identifying them. In Mongolia, the most important Buddhist lineage is that of the Jebtsundamba Khutughtu – a line which commences with  Zanabazar (1635-1723), who ruled Mongolia and left amazing works of art including the national symbol – the 'soyombo'. This line also includes the Bodg Khan, the last ruler of Mongolia at the beginning of the last century.