Not something new, we Indians even claim Genghis Khan as Indian and lay claim to historical Mongolian empire
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1538174/Outrage-as-China-lays-claim-to-Genghis-Khan.html
Outrage as China lays claim to Genghis Khan
By Graeme Baker
12:01AM GMT 30 Dec 2006
He swept all before him and subjugated much of the known world. But now, almost 800 years after his death,
Genghis Kahn is embroiled in another war as China attempts to adopt the Mongol king as its own national hero.
In stark contrast to Mao Zedong, who insisted Genghis was only fit to fire arrows at birds, communist officials and historians now say he represents the essence of new China – a unifying force for a strident land of many ethnic minorities.
"We define him as a great man of the Chinese people, a hero of the Mongolian nationality, and a giant in world history," said Guo Wurong, the manager of the new Genghis Khan "mausoleum" in China's Inner Mongolia province.
"Genghis Khan was certainly Chinese," he added.
The ''mausoleum" was built on a spot the Mongol leader was said to have passed on his way to his final war in 1227, and holds artefacts including his bow and saddle.