The recent article by Martain Patience for BBC News, Sweeping change across China’s Inner Mongolia, explores migration phenomenon between Inner Mongolia and China in relation to the cultural influence upon the Inner Mongolian ethnic minority. The article considers how Inner Mongolia, being rich in resources such as coal, gas, and rare earth metals, is attracting an unprecedented number of extractive industries and Han Chinese migrant workers to the area (Patience 1). While this has brought increased economic stimulation for China, it is also resulting in derogated grasslands from the mining initiatives which are subsequently affecting the nomadic migratory patterns of ethnic Inner Mongolians. The article further considers how migration into and out of Inner Mongolia is diluting culture, language, tradition, and a sense of ‘national identity’ for the ethnic nomadic group. There has been some protest against the mining initiative, with human right groups stressing that China must have better informed policy in regards to the rights of national minorities. The article also considers how technological advancements being introduced to the area can lead to potentially positive transformation of traditional aspects, such as using motorbikes rather than horses to increase effective herding practices (Patience 2). The link below provides more information about the ethnic minority group in Inner Mongolia, migration between China and Inner Mongolia, a short video of the migration phenomenon and a few pictures.

Patience, Martain. ” Sweeping change across China’s Inner Mongolia.” BBC News. 6. Feb. 2014. Web. 7 February 2014. < http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-25979564>.