China's Online Crackdown on Mongolian Language and Culture Sparks Global Concerns
A shocking new study has revealed that the Chinese government is systematically erasing the Mongolian language and culture from online platforms in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The investigation, conducted by PEN America and the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center, found that nearly 89% of known Mongolian cultural websites have been censored or shut down entirely.
The study highlights how Beijing's education policy, which replaced Mongolian with Mandarin Chinese as the language of instruction across schools in 2020, has led to a gradual shift of offline repression into the digital world. Since then, online communities have been restricted, including the most widely used Mongolian-language social media app, Bainu.
Mongolia's experience serves as a chilling reminder of how culture can be suppressed online. The government's efforts to suppress Mongolian identity are evident in the removal of Mongolian songs from music apps and the censorship of words tied to Mongolian heritage, including references to Genghis Khan.
"I'm being resilient as a Mongolian because I don't feel fear," says Soyonbo Borjgin, a Southern Mongolian journalist now living in exile. "It means feeling fear and continuing anyway." Borjgin's determination is echoed by Liesl Gerntholtz, Managing Director of PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center at PEN America, who warns that tech companies must take note of the findings.
"The intersection between cultural rights and digital repression is much less understood," Gerntholtz said. "If internet companies are committed to an open and free internet, they should be paying close attention to what has happened in Mongolia." The study calls for coordinated pressure on tech companies, governments, and international institutions to protect Mongolian culture online.
The Chinese government's actions have sparked global concerns about the erosion of cultural rights and digital freedoms. As Borjgin notes, "We don't have to be afraid of the Chinese authorities because we, as the people, have the right to use our language in digital space." The fight for Mongolian culture is far from over, and the international community must take a stand to protect its rights online.
A shocking new study has revealed that the Chinese government is systematically erasing the Mongolian language and culture from online platforms in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The investigation, conducted by PEN America and the Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center, found that nearly 89% of known Mongolian cultural websites have been censored or shut down entirely.
The study highlights how Beijing's education policy, which replaced Mongolian with Mandarin Chinese as the language of instruction across schools in 2020, has led to a gradual shift of offline repression into the digital world. Since then, online communities have been restricted, including the most widely used Mongolian-language social media app, Bainu.
Mongolia's experience serves as a chilling reminder of how culture can be suppressed online. The government's efforts to suppress Mongolian identity are evident in the removal of Mongolian songs from music apps and the censorship of words tied to Mongolian heritage, including references to Genghis Khan.
"I'm being resilient as a Mongolian because I don't feel fear," says Soyonbo Borjgin, a Southern Mongolian journalist now living in exile. "It means feeling fear and continuing anyway." Borjgin's determination is echoed by Liesl Gerntholtz, Managing Director of PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center at PEN America, who warns that tech companies must take note of the findings.
"The intersection between cultural rights and digital repression is much less understood," Gerntholtz said. "If internet companies are committed to an open and free internet, they should be paying close attention to what has happened in Mongolia." The study calls for coordinated pressure on tech companies, governments, and international institutions to protect Mongolian culture online.
The Chinese government's actions have sparked global concerns about the erosion of cultural rights and digital freedoms. As Borjgin notes, "We don't have to be afraid of the Chinese authorities because we, as the people, have the right to use our language in digital space." The fight for Mongolian culture is far from over, and the international community must take a stand to protect its rights online.
This is super concerning 
. I mean think about it if the Chinese government can just erase an entire culture like that from online platforms what's next? It's not just Mongolian language and culture but what about other minority groups in China? We gotta keep a close eye on this 
and make sure tech companies are doing their part to protect digital freedoms. PEN America is doing some solid work here 
, we need more people to speak out against this kind of thing. Can't let the Chinese government get away with this 
This latest development in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is nothing short of alarming 
. The systematic erasure of Mongolian language and culture from online platforms is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked state control 
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. The fight for Mongolian culture's right to exist online must be taken up by the international community – it's a battle worth fighting 
. Soyenbo Borjgin is a total hero for speaking out against this crap 
. We need to stand with her and make sure our digital spaces are free from censorship 
. Can't let the man silence us like that... gotta keep speaking truth to power 
!
The digital world shouldn't be restricted by governments. It's all about freedom of expression...or at least it should be 
china's erasing mongolian language & culture online and it's getting worldwide attention 
but seriously 89% of their cultural websites are censored or shut down what does that even mean for their identity? 
and ppl r just like "oh no" but i'm more worried about the fact that tech companies aren't taking this seriously enough 
it's not just mongolia, think about all the other cultures being silenced online 
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If they're all about being free and open online, then why isn't anyone doing anything about it? I'm not saying it's as bad as the government making them, but still... we need to keep an eye on these big players and make sure they don't just sit back and let culture get erased 
so yeah I'm all for the international pressure on tech companies and governments to protect these cultural rights, its a no-brainer. we gotta stand with Soyonbo Borjgin and Liesl Gerntholtz and make sure that Mongolian culture is still online and thriving 
and there are still no consequences for the chinese gov? 
the only thing we can do is keep calling out these actions on social media 
and it makes total sense why they are doing this too its all about control and erasing diversity in china 
. The Chinese government's systematic erasure of Mongolian cultural websites and social media platforms is an alarming display of digital repression, particularly in the face of Beijing's education policy which prioritized Mandarin Chinese over Mongolian language instruction.
. It highlights the urgent need for tech companies to acknowledge their role in safeguarding cultural rights and ensuring an open internet 
. It's like, they're trying to erase their identity online. I mean, what's next? Will they just shut down all websites that aren't in Mandarin Chinese? It's crazy how fast these governments can move when it comes to controlling the info flow. And the fact that tech companies aren't doing more about it is super concerning 
. It's crucial that tech companies and governments take notice of these findings and make a concerted effort to protect cultural rights online.
. As Soyonbo Borjgin so eloquently puts it, "I'm being resilient as a Mongolian because I don't feel fear." It's a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resistance and resilience in the face of oppression. The international community must take a stand to protect cultural rights online and ensure that digital platforms serve as a force for cultural preservation, not suppression