Effects Of The Kyakhta Trade Between China And Russia On Mongolian Economy And Culture

The origin of China foreign trade and cultural exchange is very early. In different historical periods, all ethnic groups in China were actively involved in economic and cultural exchanges with other nationalities, which facilitated the mutual understanding and friendship as well as exchange of needed goods. However, China foreign trade had been from active into passive since Qing dynasty. Furthermore, foreign economic and cultural exchanges were becoming less and less frequent. In this context, Tsarist Russia, who had just completed centralization, started to reach out to China constantly. At last, marked by the signing of Kyakhta Treaty between China and Russia in1782, bicentennial Sino-Russian Kyakhta trade had started. The development of Kyakhta trade had a significant impact on economy and culture of Mongolia area while promoted the economic development between China and Russia.According to the history of Sino-Russian Kyakhta trade, this essay first analyses history of trade and background before Kyakhta trade formed, which is based on the definition of related time concept of Kyakhta trade and space concept of Mongolia area, and combs the development process of Kyakhta trade from three parts, which are trade volume, commodity structure and treaty regime, then it dissects the inherent and external inducement which lead to the decline of Kyakhta trade. Through the above analysis, the essay obtains a comprehensive understanding to Kyakhta trade. And then, based on this cognition system, the essay analysis the different influences on the transportation at the boom period and the decline times of Kyakhta trade through the transport lines changes firstly. After that, the essay analysis the three typical cities, which are Kyakhta (Altanbulag of Mongolia), Kulun (Ulan Bator of Mongolia) and Zhangjiakou (Zhangjiakou of Hebei Province, China), whose development are influenced by Kyakhta trade deeply. Furthermore, the essay analyses the traditional nomadic economical development, which influenced by Kyakhta trade. With adding these factors together and comparing with economic progress in Siberia, we can conclude that under the influence of Kyakhta trade, institutions, policies and trade, which cause a slower economy in Mongolia area. In addition, this essay also analyses promoting for culture interaction between ethnic groups in Mongolia through Kyakhta trade. Through the analyses, it would be seen that Ethnic Mongolians, Ethnic Han and Russians, who are involved in the Kyakhta trade, are closely culture exchanged. Furthermore, Kyakhta trade had made other ethnics who lived in Mongolia Area exchange their culture more positive. Furthermore, the essay analyses the changes of business ideas and living habits of Ethnic Mongolian, who are the main ethnic in Mongolia Area.