Background The Alxa region, corresponding largely to the modern
Alxa League of the
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was historically governed through the Mongolian
banner (khoshun) system under the
Qing dynasty. Despite the
collapse of Qing authority in 1911, hereditary Mongolian nobles retained significant local influence during the
Republican period. During the 1930s and 1940s, Inner Mongolia became a contested political space involving the
Republic of China, the
Chinese Communist Party,
Japan, and local Mongolian elites. The establishment of the Japanese-backed state of
Mengjiang (1936–1945) strengthened Mongolian nationalist movements, though these were heavily dependent on external powers. Following Japan’s
defeat in 1945, Mengjiang was dissolved, and its leader
Demchugdongrub was arrested by Nationalist authorities. Political instability persisted in Inner Mongolia, and the
Autonomous Government of Inner Mongolia was formed. While eastern Inner Mongolia increasingly came under Communist influence, western regions such as Alxa remained under
Kuomintang (KMT) control and were administratively linked to
Ningxia.
Establishment In April 1949, a congress of Mongolian nobles and representatives convened in
Dingyuanying (modern
Bayanhot). The assembly followed traditional
kurultai procedures and established a commission tasked with preparing the creation of a Western Mongolian autonomous state. On 10 August 1949, the Mongolian Autonomous Government was formally proclaimed. Demchugdongrub (Prince De) was elected President, with
Darijaya serving as Vice-President. The government was composed largely of former Mengjiang officials and members of the Mongolian aristocracy. It relied heavily on KMT support and lacked a broad social base.
Government and administration The political structure combined elements of traditional Mongolian aristocratic authority with modern state institutions. Executive authority was concentrated in the presidency, while administration relied on existing banner structures and noble networks. Key government officials included Bayankhan (, secretary-general of the Secretariat), Bai Haifeng (, head of the Bureau of Industry), He Zhaolin (, head of the Internal Affairs Bureau), and Oljeibuyan (, head of the Bureau of Finance). The Peace Preservation Committee was also established to reorganize military forces and support troops loyal to Prince De.
Collapse The rapid advance of the
People’s Liberation Army in northwestern China in September 1949 threatened the survival of the Alxa Republic. Key cities in
Qinghai and
Ningxia fell, isolating Alashan from remaining KMT-held territory. On September 20, 1949, Demchugdongrub fled the region to Guaizihu in
Ejin Banner, taking the state seal with him. Remaining officials, headed by Darijaya, reorganized the decaying Mongolian Autonomous Government into the
Western Mongolian Autonomous Government zh], and negotiated a peaceful transfer of authority with
Yang Dezhi on October 5, 1949, thus surrendering to Communist forces by October 15, 1949 and renaming administration to Alasha Khoshut Banner People's Government
zh]. With the collapse of his government, Prince De maintained contacts with the
Mongolian People's Republic. On December 29, 1949, lured by the PRM leaders, he fled to Outer Mongolia with his secretary Tseren-dorji, aide-de-camp Tumendelger, and two other guides. He invited key generals
Li Shouxin, Sukhbaatar and Ombagatur to join him there, leaving the remaining officials to negotiate surrender arrangements with Communist authorities. Despite initial warm welcome, he was interned on February 27, 1950, arrested on March 1, 1950 and subsequently extradited to China on September 18, 1950. Of more than 1,200 followers, over 400 joined the Alashan Peace Preservation Troops, around 400 returned home, about 100 were reassigned for study or government employment, and another 100–200 attempted to flee but were intercepted or killed. == Flag and symbols ==