Assessing the effects of the large-scale road construction on the ethnic disparities of accessibility in Tibet from 2010 to 2020

Tibet is the main consist of the Tibetan Plateau and also inhabited by minorities in China. How to promote its road accessibility and narrow the gap between different ethnic groups should draw more attention. This study analyzes both territorial accessibility (At) and potential accessibility (Ap) in Tibet from 2010 to 2020, as well as the disparities within and between main ethnic groups, exploring whether ethnic minorities undertook the accessibility disparity or loss. The findings are as follows: (1) At and Ap are characterized by a center-periphery structure with a remarkably improvement and spatial difference from 2010 to 2020. The disparity between counties tends to widen slightly, whereas the increment of At shows the opposite feature. (2) The Hui and Han ethnic groups enjoy better accessibility than Tibetans, and the other ethnic minorities have insufficient accessibility, though with prominent improvement. The disparity in At within ethnic groups is smaller but tends to widen; by contrast, that of Ap is larger but tends to narrow. The Hui ethnic group enjoys relative equal accessibility, which tends to be more so, while Tibetans face unequal accessibility with no obvious improvement. (3) The proportion of Tibetans is negatively correlated with the improved accessibility, but those of the other ethnic minorities are positively correlated with the increment of At, indicating that the accessibility improvement in Tibet tilts to the ethnic minorities in remote areas. The overall spatial disparities in accessibility in Tibet tend to widen, but this does not totally apply to those between and within ethnic groups. Nonetheless, the construction of transport infrastructure alone may not be able to achieve equality. Above results may provide reference for related research and policy making for remote and minority areas in China and other similar regions.     

云南11个特有少数民族的茶传统文化保护与利用初析

云南茶文化具有悠久的历史和文化底蕴,为更好地保护和利用云南特有少数民族的茶传统文化,在文献资料查阅、问卷调查和实地考察等基础上,分析了哈尼族、傣族、布朗族、德昂族、阿昌族、基诺族、白族、纳西族、怒族、普米族和佤族等11个云南特有少数民族,在茶树驯化、种植、制茶、饮茶以及古茶树保护等方面的传统知识,发现云南特有少数民族茶文化既有本民族鲜明的独特性又相互交融。为更好地保护和传承这些丰富多样、宝贵的茶文化资源,提出云南特有少数民族茶文化保护与利用建议,通过开展茶文化旅游、建立云南民族茶文化理论体系以及古茶树保护区等措施,既增加了当地的经济收入、提高了对外界的影响力,又对当地生态环境及民族茶文化进行了有效的保护,实现各民族地区生态环境的保护与社会经济的发展。     

Road to shared prosperity: The elaboration and influence of a transboundary policy narrative for regional economic integration

In the Mekong Region, the Asian Development Bank and partners have promoted economic corridors as a way to achieve regional economic integration and growth. This study evaluates how a transboundary policy narrative of shared prosperity around the East–West Economic Corridor programme emerged, and then how it was elaborated and used, taking a set of border policies of the government of Thailand as cases. For two decades the shared prosperity narrative has been used by a coalition of elite actors to support a programme of investments in road infrastructure, as well as to push for agreements on trade, border logistics, investment and tourism. The shared prosperity narrative has helped maintain support for the programme despite its failures to meet projections and expectations. Although criticised by civil society and experts from time to time, no coherent shared counter‐narrative emerged. Policy elites in Thailand have used the transboundary narrative to justify investments in special economic zones, and transport infrastructure near the border and inside neighbouring countries. Thailand has also reproduced the narrative in support of efforts to bolster tourism cooperation, and negotiate cross‐border trade and logistics agreements. Roads and bridges have been built, underlining how discursive practices have material consequences and reinforce the narrative.     

Miao migrants to Shanghai: Multilocality,invisibility and ethnicity

This paper reports on a recent research project into rural–urban labour migrants in Shanghai, China, who are members of ethnic minorities, inquiring into the role of ethnicity in national labour migration. It introduces some of the main features of the ethnic nationalities (minzu) in China and considers some of the literature on rural–urban migration in China which may be considered as relevant to ethnicity. The case of a Miao minority family in Shanghai is described in detail to argue that what remains important to them in the city is not their formal ethnic affiliation (minzu) so much as a sub‐ethnic identity of connectedness and intimacy, importantly related to kinship and place.     

青海少数民族地区气象科普发展的特征趋势研究

本研究以青海省海南藏族自治州贵德县为例,从近20年中气象科普形式、科普对象、科普内容及科普活动、少数民族地区气象科普的特殊性等方面进行阐述分析,得出了近20年青海基层少数民族地区气象科普发展趋向多形式改变,科普内容有所拓展,科普对象逐渐多元化,少数民族地区气象科普结合本民族的语言及历史文化等方面逐步提升。本研究为气象科普在贫困山区和民族地区的开展提出建议和思考,贫困山区和少数民族地区是生态环境的脆弱区,也是防灾减灾能力的薄弱区,科普重点放在生态文明建设和提高基层防灾减灾能力是关键。制约气象科普的因素较多,应该本着因地制宜、本地化的原则,结合民族特色、用好科技手段、加强人才培养、争取资金投入,进一步提高气象科普宣传力度,更好的发挥气象服务在防灾减灾中第一道防线的作用。     

Construction of Silk Road Economic Belt and Industrial Selection of Minority Areas in Northwest China

Construction of Silk Road Economic Belt is a giant engine for the economic upgrading of China.Minority areas in Northwest China since then has become a forward position for the opening to the west,which is extremely significant for expanding the hinterland of Chinese economic development,activating economic development in inland and border areas,promoting the open economic development in central and west China,and also forming a new growth pole of Chinese economy.Optimization of industrial selection can promote economic development,constant economic growth of the northwest minority areas and the construction of Silk Road Economic Belt requires the optimization and adjustment of industrial selection,cultivation of competitive industries with market prospects,and formation of new economic growth points.Minority areas in northwest China have a vast territory and abundant resources that are all powerful support for the development of local competitive industries.     

An analysis of employment patterns of domestic migrants and immigrants in a Rustbelt city: A study of Buffalo-Niagara Falls

This study evaluates employment patterns of domestic migrants and immigrants and also explores the role of ethnic niching for Asian and African American recent arrivals in the context of local structural transformation (e.g., the shift from manufacturing to services). Employment patterns are examined for industry-occupation groups using the 5% Public Use Micro Sample of the 2000 U.S. Decennial Census and the 2006–2010 of the American Community Survey. The study area is a Rustbelt city that has suffered from population loss: the Buffalo-Niagara Falls MSA. Location quotients and shift-share analysis are used to classify employment shifts into four industry-occupation groups: growing, transforming, declining, and emerging. Logistic regressions are estimated to identify the role of various demographic factors and ethnic niches on the employment of recent arrivals in the above four industry-occupation groups. The results show that the employment of recent arrivals vary by migration status and ethnicity. The role of ethnic niches is especially important in declining industry-occupation groups. The analytical framework can be used to understand where and how migrants, both domestic and immigrants, find work. Future studies can focus on the pros and cons of ethnic niching (e.g., barriers to suitable jobs, ethnic entrepreneurship through niche experience) as structural transformation continues across U.S. regions, especially with new technologies.     

Seeing farmers for the trees: Community forestry and the arborealisation of agriculture in northern Thailand1

Abstract: The campaign for community forestry in upland areas of northern Thailand reflects an ‘arborealised’ perspective on upland agriculture. Arborealisation – which I define as the process whereby upland livelihoods are recast as forest livelihoods – is evident in the main elements of NGO and academic advocacy for the resource rights of upland peoples. As a result of this arborealised perspective, securing rights to forest resources has come to be seen as the key to enhancing the livelihood security of upland farmers. However, the emphasis of the proposed community forest legislation on communally managed forest resources means that it will do little to enhance the tenure security of farmers in relation to agricultural land.      

Borderland livelihood strategies: The socio‐economic significance of ethnicity in cross‐border labour migration,West Kalimantan,Indonesia

This paper explores cross‐border ethnic relations as an important socio‐economic strategy for the borderland Iban population in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Iban seeking more lucrative wage work have long used their ethnic identity to facilitate circular labour migration across the international border into Sarawak, Malaysia, a strategy which has also compromised their claims to Indonesian citizenship. Drawing on long‐term field research among the West Kalimantan Iban, we examine the close interconnections among cross‐border labour migration, ethnicity, identity, and citizenship, and how this plays into contemporary issues related to Indonesian political and economic change.     

Disparities and Divided Growth: Ethnic Entrepreneurship in the Greater Los Angeles Area, 1980–2015

This study employs a multilevel research design to examine business ownership across ethnic groups in the greater Los Angeles area. It finds significant divide between white and non‐white businesses along the labor market hierarchy. The entrepreneurial environment, ethnic residential communities, ethnic business spatial clustering, ethnic concentration in particular niche sectors, and ethnic diversity in local areas are all related to business ownership and disparities across ethnic groups. The results suggest that ethnically diverse neighborhoods and co‐ethnic business communities could provide a conducive institutional environment and resources for minority businesses to start. However, in contrast to white owned businesses, ethnic minority businesses' concentration in the low‐end and easy‐entry sectors may reinforce their disadvantages and hinder upward economic mobility. This study provides policy implications for community regional development through entrepreneurship especially when race and ethnicity are concerned.     

Perfecting the Market-Oriented Ecological Compensation Mechanism of Ethnic Minority Areas: A Case Study of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

The construction of the market-oriented ecological compensation mechanism in China is complicated system engineering. China's ecological compensation funds are mainly derived from the public finance, lacking market-oriented operation. That not only increases the financial burden of the government, but also leads to the incomprehensive compensation scope. Moreover, China's ecological compensation lacks market mechanism so that it is difficult to set compensation standards and calculate offsets. This paper takes Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture as an example to analyze the market-oriented ecological compensation system of ethnic minority areas from the perspective of market economy, so as to provide a theoretical basis and a reference point for the establishment of efficient and reasonable ecological compensation mechanism and policies in ethnic minority areas and provide environmental protection for the sustainable development of economy and society of ethnic minority areas.     

Why Do Localities Provide Economic Development Incentives? Geographic Competition,Political Constituencies,and Government Capacity

U.S. states and localities often engage in economic development policies using incentives and abatements for specific firms or industries. Yet, there is very little empirical evidence suggesting that such policies are successful. Why, then, do governments engage in these policies? In order to answer this question, we employ a model that considers not only geographic and economic factors, but also, in a novel application, local political conditions. A unique survey of U.S. county governments forms the basis for our empirical assessment of both traditional economic development policies and new‐wave policies. Using probit, Poisson, negative binomial, and spatial econometric models, we find evidence that the use of incentives is inversely related to local economic conditions. Furthermore, we find Republican counties are more apt to use incentives, though counties dominated by one political party are less likely to use them.     

NAFTA or Nada? Trade's Impact on U.S. Border Retailers

The extensive debate over trade liberalization policies in the United States holds a general consensus that some industries will benefit while others will not. This paper explores the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement on U.S. retailers in states located along the border with Mexico. Overall, the impact of trade on U.S. border retailers has been beneficial. However, the results demonstrate that retailers in the region are vulnerable to exchange rate fluctuations and other macroeconomic influences that change the relative price ratio between the United States and Mexico. Furthermore, retailers in metropolitan statistical areas that have a relatively high concentration of retail sector employment are more susceptible to these changes.     

新农村建设中失地农民社会保障问题探要——昆山市失地农民社会保障问题调研及思考

随着中国城市化进程的加快,越来越多的土地被征用,大片农民成为失地农民,失地农民的生活急需保障。为了加强失地农民社会保障工作,进一步消除城乡二元发展的弊端,城乡一体化社会保障制度被提出并实践。通过对昆山这一社会保障领跑城市的调查和分析,总结了昆山社会保障的现状,归纳出该市城乡一体化进程中存在着户籍制度造成的城乡差距依然存在以及农民自我保障的能力相对不足两点问题,并基于这些不足,结合昆山市的实际情况,提出相应推进昆山市失地农民社会保障制度建设的几点意见,即加大财政投入力度、增加农村社保资金、建立地方性法规、建立最低生活保障、出台就业扶持政策、增强就业能力。     

Roasted pigs and bao dumplings: Festive food and imagined transnational identity in Chinese–Vietnamese festivals

Abstract: This article explores the ways by which special dishes prepared for the Chinese community festivals in the Vietnamese town of Hoi An negotiate and expand the notions of ethnic identity and place of origin of migrant groups. Although the festivals stress specific regional identities in (Imperial) China, the food consumed in the communal feasts defines much wider scopes of ethnicity and territory. By discussing these alternative scopes and comparing the feasts in two festivals, the article suggests that a new transnational ‘greater‐Chinese’ identity is celebrated in contemporary Chinese‐Vietnamese community festivals. The scope and importance of this new identity is analysed in relation to an imagined ‘greater‐China’ as a dominant player in the forthcoming ‘Pacific Century’. The position of the culinary sphere as a privileged arena for sociocultural negotiation, especially in post‐socialist authoritarian regimes, is also discussed.     

History and geography of identifications related to resource conflicts and ethnic violence in Northern Thailand

Abstract: Resource conflicts often intensify ethnic violence and vice versa. However, in specific cases situations can be more complex than they appear. To understand this phenomenon, this chapter takes incidents of violence in Northern Thailand as a point of departure to explain how the historical construction of ethnic identification is tied to the spatial division of highlands and lowlands. I argue that these incidents of violence are not just about resource scarcity but also about notions of forests and highlands as places of wildness and lowlands as the source of civilisation. The current adoption of a nature conservation discourse among Thais puts forests and hills into a battlefield of perceived resource degradation. Some situations have been aggravated to the point that violence has been perpetuated against ethnic highlanders by lowlanders who have adopted orthodox science and nationalist sentiments drawn from a history and geography of ethnic identification. Taking a political ecology approach, this article highlights the interplay among resources, access rights, identity, history, polity, and space to unveil the complexity and specificity of ethnic violence.     

Resource conflict and ethnic peace in northern Thailand

Abstract: Although northern Thailand has experienced both ethnic discrimination and resource conflicts, neither has produced significant organised violence. The relative absence of ethnically mobilised natural resource conflict in northern Thailand is due in part to the historical pattern of state formation, and in part to the Thai state's capacity to deter and mediate conflicts before they escalate into organised violence.     

Beyond large‐city‐centred urbanisation: in situ transformationof rural areas in Fujian Province

This paper explores China’s in situ urbanisation and its implications for the paradigm of extended metropolitan areas. Based on preliminary results of the 2000 census, field surveys and interviews, government statistics and documents, and direct observation in Fujian Province of China, a region without much influence of mega‐cities, the analysis shows that in situ urbanisation resulting from the transformation of rural settlements has played an important role since the 1980s. The paper examines major factors contributing to the process of in situ urbanisation, especially the development of township and village enterprises, government policies and foreign investment. Some underlying conditions, such as local historical and geographical conditions and cultural characteristics, high population density and improvement in transport and communications, are also discussed, and the future prospect of the urbanisation pattern in the context of local economic restructuring and urbanisation strategies in the new century is gauged. The paper also assesses the relevance of the paradigm of extended metropolitan areas to the urbanisation pattern, and suggests the need for a conceptual framework focusing on the urbanisation process resulting from bottom‐up rural developments.     

Explosive border: Dwelling,fear and violence on the Thai–Burmese border along the Salween River

The Salween borderlands can be conceptualised as spaces of exception where contradictory outcomes of state actions lead to state violence. The Burmese and Thai states have maintained their sovereign power and responded to economic regionalisation through violent practices in particular spaces. The political conflicts between the Burmese junta and ethnic minorities in the Salween borderlands have become war zones. The Burmese government in association with the Thai state and transnational dam investors has imposed the Salween dam projects on the Salween borderlands and people in the form of a terrorising state. The border people have experienced fear, danger and military violence, which has become part of the violence in everyday life. This paper provides an ethnographic study focused on specific events involving an explosion and death in a particular place and time on the Salween borderland. It shows the suffering of the border people in relation to sovereign power.     

Relationship changes between lowlander and hill tribes in Xishuangbanna,P.R. China

Xishuangbanna, which is well known for its ethnic diversity, is located in the upper reaches of the Mekong River. Dai lowlanders make up one third of the total population, 13 other indigenous highland groups make up another third and the balance are Han Chinese. The research on which this paper is based was conducted in three villages, Dai, Hani and Jinuo communities and designed to explore the changing relationships between lowlanders and highlanders. It was found that over the past five decades two critical events triggered profound changes. One was liberation by the Chinese Communist Party in 1950, and the other the land and economic reform policies introduced at the beginning of the 1980s.