Mongolia's new President Khaltmaa Battulga speaks during the inauguration ceremony in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, July 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Asigang)



ULAN BATOR, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Khaltmaa Battulga of the Mongolian Democratic Party was officially inaugurated here as president of the country on Monday.

The inauguration, held at the State Palace, was attended by Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat, Chairman of the Constitutional Court Jugnee Amarsanaa, parliament and government members, among others.

Taking the oath, Battulga pledged to respect and protect the rights and freedom of Mongolian citizens, "observe and protect the Constitution of Mongolia, protect sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the state, and truly serve the people."

Aiming at reducing poverty, Battulga said he will restore the economy, develop the industrial sphere and ensure ecological balance.

The new president said he will also "expand friendly relations with China and Russia in all spheres" before receiving the seal from outgoing President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.

The inauguration came three days after the General Election Commission announced that Battulga won the election Friday against Miyegombo Enkhbold of the Mongolian People's Party, with 50.6 percent of the vote in the runoff.

The Mongolian president serves a four-year term and can be re-elected only once.

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Hot dog eating contest held in New York</s>Ulaanbaatar, July 10 : With Battulga Khaltmaa of Mongolia's leading opposition Democratic Party set to assume the presidency on Monday, the former communist state could begin to significantly restructure its economy, reducing its reliance on neighboring China and strengthening ties to other world powers.

Mongolia's election commission on Sunday certified the results of Friday's runoff election, declaring Battulga the victor with 50.6 per cent of the vote. The 54-year-old former martial arts star soundly defeated rival Enkhbold Miyegombo of the ruling Mongolian People's Party, who fetched 41.2 per cent of the vote. Some 60.7 per cent of Mongolia's 1.99 million eligible voters turned out.

Diversifying Mongolia's economic relations with the rest of the world is a top priority for the president-elect. Currently, China takes in some 80% of Mongolia's exports, the bulk of which are raw materials. The new government is expected to forge closer relations with partners such as Japan, Russia and the U.S., cultivating greater independence from its powerful neighbor. This strategy accords with the nationalist tone struck by Battulga's campaign, as well as his pledge to rectify conspicuous wealth inequality in the country.

The president-elect nevertheless pledged Saturday night to work with his party's nine lawmakers to put pressure on the ruling party, and to work hard for the Mongolian people. Battulga will need to pick his battles carefully: Antagonizing the People's Party could bring legislative work to a halt.

The run-off was scheduled after the June 26 vote failed to result in a outright winner.

Some investors have been wary of a Battulga presidency because of his calls for more state control of some mines and his suspicions of China, Mongolia's biggest trade partner.</s>Mongolian businessman and martial arts expert Khaltmaa Battulga was sworn in as president Monday, vowing to revive the flagging economy and pursue relations with countries outside its giant neighbours Russia and China.

Battulga inherits a $5.5 billion International Monetary Fund-led bailout intended to stabilise the economy of the debt-laden country and lessen its dependence on China, which purchases 80 percent of Mongolia's exports.

In his inauguration speech, Battulga pledged to "stand for equally beneficial foreign relations" and to pay "special attention to the 'third neighbour policy'" -- a push toward strengthening Mongolia's partnerships with the US, Japan, Germany and other countries beyond its two powerful neighbours.

The opposition Democratic Party (DP) candidate, who was elected with 50.6 percent of the vote in a runoff last Friday, said he wanted to kickstart the economy, end poverty and boost the manufacturing sector.

The billionaire property tycoon and world champion in the Soviet martial art Sambo ran a populist campaign that was linked to simmering anti-China sentiments.

At one rally last month, Battulga supporters accused anti-Battulga protesters of being "mixed Chinese", and a video circulated on social media purporting that opponent and parliament speaker Mieygombo Enkhbold of the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) has Chinese ancestry.

The Chinese foreign ministry noted this element of the campaigns on Monday while congratulating the new president on his election victory.

"During the election, certain politicians made some untrue and irresponsible remarks," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said during a regular press briefing.

"We express concerns about this."

Battulga also promised to "fight against the selling of public service positions," which Enkhbold and other MPP officials had been accused of doing.

Battulga replaces Tsakhia Elbegdorj, also of the DP, after the outgoing president served the maximum two four-year terms.
Battulga Khaltmaa is sworn in as the new President of Mongolia following his victory in the second round presidential election on 7 July.