Search

Population health, social development and the environment are important elements of sustainable development. This article uses the China People's Daily message board to collect environmental public opinion data, visualizes the public opinion hotspots of environmental based on word frequency statistics, and applies the Latent Dirichlet Allocations (LDA) topic model to analyze the spatial distribution of environmental risk perception dimensions. The conclusions are as follows: (1) in terms of the hotspots of environmental public opinion, the most frequent occurrences are the living environment, interest demands and noise pollution. (2) There is heterogeneity in the topic of environmental risk perception. The perception of pollution source types has the highest weight in environmental risk perception in the eastern, central, and western regions. Specifically, the types of pollution sources in the eastern that receive the most attention are garbage and noise pollution. In addition to paying attention to noise pollution, the central and western also have a higher perceived weight on the polluters. Residents in northeast are most concerned about changes in residents' health and living environment quality. (3) From the perspective of environmental risk perception, health perception has the highest proportion in northeast, followed by the eastern, and finally the central and western. Proportion of perception of interest demands is highest in the central region, perception of residential environment quality is highest in the northeast region, perception of pollution source types is highest in the eastern, central, and western regions, and lowest in the northeast region. Finally, some practical and feasible policy recommendations were proposed for different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The Back School program has been recommended in many countries around the world for patients with low back pain (LBP) to help improve self-efficacy to enhance their prognosis. However, few studies have reported on the application of the Back School in East Asia, including China. This study aimed to explore the Back School's effect on Chinese adults with chronic LBP based on four areas: posture, knowledge of LBP, physical activity and body performance. Material and methods. There were 10 participants in the intervention group and 11 in the control group. Baseline data was collected prior to the intervention, including upper body physical examination, core and lower limb muscle examination, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, LBP Knowledge Questionnaire and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Physical indicators and questionnaires were retaken after the 8-week Back School intervention. The differences between the two groups were compared before and after the intervention. Results. There was a statistically significant increase in McGill trunk flexion test results and knowledge of LBP (especially basic knowledge and treatment sections) in the intervention group. Conclusions. The Back School-based intervention model has a positive impact on muscle performance in the core area and knowledge acquisition of LBP in Chinese patients with chronic LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undoubtedly, already during Barack Obama's presidency, Asia, including China, became a key point of the US foreign policy, and the so-called "Pivot to Asia" was a great proof for that. However, while Obama still seemed to treat China as a strategic partner, not seeing it as an existential threat, Trump decisively changed this approach and gave a new direction to the American strategy towards China - from then on, China officially became a "strategic rival" and the goal was to slow down its growth in the key areas that threatened US security and its global hegemony. The author puts forward the thesis that Joe Biden mostly continues Trump's decisive course towards China. Analyzing and comparing official documents of the US government (the American Defence Strategy of 2020 and 2022 and two key documents/speeches presenting the US approach to China during the administrations of Donald Trump and Joe Biden), the author comes to the conclusion that the current president not only continues the course of his predecessor, but also strengthens it in a few selected areas, such as high technologies and rare earths. The author also attempts to explain the reasons for the following continuation in the US approach to China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to analyze the importance of Pakistan, as one of the influential countries of the Indo-Pacific region, for the broadly understood security of China during the rule of Xi Jinping in the context of the American strategy in the region. Pakistan is undoubtedly one of the participants in the competition between the US and China. Its geographical location is of geostrategic and geoeconomic importance for Beijing. Pakistan plays an important role in the process of redefining China's security interests in the Indo-Pacific region and increases its power projection capabilities. Beijing's relations with Islamabad are filled with new content, especially in the context of formulating the American concept of regional security, which has a clearly anti-Chinese character. The US system of alliance ties in the Indo-Pacific region is based on countries whose relations with China are tense and historically burdened. India ranks first among these countries. In this context, Pakistan serves as an ally to China that expands its room for maneuver in the process of balancing relations in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China under ever growing autocratic rule of Xi Jinping, which has started at the end of 2012, is presenting many new proposals and visions, both on domestic and international scene. This article describe those initiatives, usually less known outside of China, as they are, additionally, hidden in the Chinese cultural code. What is obvious and clear: the old civilization is under rejuvenation and together with it an empire, with its own concepts for itself and the whole world. This phenomenon and visible assertiveness of the leadership in Beijing is changing the global balance of power - with relative decline of the West, starting from the USA, and growing impact of emerging markets and the global South, starting from China, and followed by India. After the COVID-19 pandemic and full-scale Russian aggression in the Ukraine it is a high time to adjust to the new global order, still under creation. The change is so deep that any return to the past is just impossible. However, only time will tell what will be the impact of China's return to the centre of the global scene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to try to answer the question posed in its title, namely: will China rule the world in the middle of the 21st century? The main hypothesis is that today it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to such a question, taking into account the distant perspective, i.e. the middle of the 21st century and the enormous dynamics of changes that are currently taking place in the world. Another hypothesis is that the rivalry between China and the United States for global hegemony does not take place in a geoeconomic and geostrategic vacuum, and that its course and effects are and will be significantly influenced by other subjects of international law and international relations, including regional powers, especially those belonging to the so-called BRICS group, led by Russia, as well as the European Union and NATO. In addition, the struggle of China and the US for world leadership will also be influenced by processes such as international integration/disintegration and globalisation/deglobalisation, as well as the growing populism, nationalism and isolationism in the foreign policy of many countries, including in China and the US. In the article, I pose a few questions, adequate to the research hypotheses put forward, including what political, international, economic, technological, and military/strategic assets does China have at its disposal to successfully compete with the United States in these areas? Will the United States accept the prospect of losing world leadership? Is it still possible for China and the United States to cooperate peacefully and for them to jointly lead the world within the framework of the so-called Chimerica, i.e. the bipolar international order, the theoretical concepts of which were considered in the science of international relations at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries by many American researchers and experts? In addition, Furthermore, I ask whether the new international order that will eventually emerge from the current international stagnation will be democratic and peaceful, and will it be a unipolar, bipolar or multipolar order? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to review the research on the impact of FDI on the economy of FDI host country and to identify the main areas of research. The example of China as an FDI host country is of interest because of the importance of FDI in the development of its economy in the period from the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy to the present day. China has become the largest recipient of FDI among developing countries and the second largest recipient of FDI in the world after the US. Selected academic publications in the period from 2000 to 2023 on the impact of FDI on the economy of the host country of this investment were analysed. Their review and analysis also allowed for the identification of the main areas of research. Differences in measurement methods, models, the size of the research samples, the time span of the research, the types of countries covered and the resulting generalisations are the main limitations. Nevertheless, this review is valuable, especially for researchers to deepen research on selected areas of the impact of foreign direct investment on the economy of the FDI host country. The conclusions may also help host country authorities to define FDI policies in order to harness the positive or reduce the negative impact of FDI on the host country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the survey data of 45 tea enterprises in Fujian Province, China, this paper adopted fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to study the adoption of the sustainable production technologies by tea enterprises. The results show that there are two configurations for the path to achieve the adoption of high sustainable production technologies. The core condition combination of the first configuration is the existence of sustainable development capabilities, the degree of government support, and the resource and environmental endowment, while that of the second configuration is the existence of enterprise expected value, industrial organization mode and the resource and environmental endowment. Moreover, the path achieving non-highly sustainable production technologies adoption mainly summarized as a configuration. Specifically, the core condition is the absence of sustainable development capabilities, enterprise development strategies, and the resource and environmental endowments. Furthermore, some practical policy recommendations were put forward based on the above conclusions in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted social stability in many countries around the world. This has consequences for sustainable development. In a situation of stability, two competing pillars of sustainable development: the economic and the environmental one, are in the lead – as long as the basic needs of most people are satisfied. In the conditions of instability, the social pillar begins to dominate, pushing the economic and environmental pillars to the background. The fight against the pandemic is or has been carried out in different countries in different ways. We can talk about the Chinese, Taiwanese, or European models, among others. In the United Kingdom, the laissez-faire model was used for a short time. This was an interesting strategy (though a very risky one) that attempted to reconcile different pillars of sustainable development in the face of crisis, seeking a compromise between health considerations, social situation, and the requirements of the economy. However, this approach was quickly rejected under the influence of public opinion, the media and scientific authorities. In the situation of impending crisis, the social pillar began to dominate. The dilemma economy vs. security was resolved according to the hierarchy of needs (with security being a more basic need). This is a tip for the future – for social policy and planning in times of stability. In a situation of deep biological crisis (as opposed to economic crises), the social factor comes to the fore in the end, at the expense of all others. Within the social factor, the hierarchy of goals will be established according to the hierarchy of needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging technologies represent the direction of the new industrial revolution of promoting sustainable economic and social development, and strategic emerging industries have developed rapidly in China. The development of these emerging technology industries requires more mineral resources as raw materials, especially the need for specific minerals, has increased. The unsatisfied growing demand for minerals used in emerging technologies or an unexpected supply disruption in major producing countries could have an impact on economic development. There are only several studies on the supply of mineral resources from the perspective of mineral resources needed by the development of China's emerging industries. To assess the criticality of the minerals needed by the strategic emerging industries in China, this paper adopts three indicators: import concentration, the volatility of prices and the application requirements by the Chinese 13th five-year plan dedicated to strategic emerging industries in 2016. Furthermore, 34 types of nonfuel minerals and mineral raw materials are separated into three categories. Finally, this paper indicates that the three indexes are all high for 8 minerals with supply risks, application in emerging technologies, and substantial market fluctuations which need the support of special policies. Two indexes of three Level-II indicators are high for 14 minerals which need different policy combination measures, and one index is high for 12 minerals which also needs attention, all of which were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under a particular context of China' eco-civilization construction in the New Era after the 18th national congress of CPC, an interesting question is that the discourse of socialist eco-civilization and its practice can to what an extent reshape or change the relationship among eco-capital, green technology and public participation in achieving a better environmental governance. A field-study in Fuzhou City, Jiangxi Province, shows clearly that there are both great hope for a radical reconstruction and multitudinous difficulties and challenges in front of the pioneering Green enterprises and the pilot areas of eco-civilization construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the process of developing a new Eurasian order and Russia and China's contemporary imperial projects in the region. The author asks a few important questions concerning the foundations of both states' perception of Eurasian strategies as well as the level of complementarity and competitiveness of those projects organising the Eurasian space in the Sino-centric or Russo-centric perspective. The main thesis contains an opinion that Russian-Chinese relations at a given stage and in the foreseeable future will tend to harmonisation and relative complementarity, which is also observed in an attempt to synchronise the Eurasian Economic Union with the Chinese idea of reviving the Silk Road joining Europe with Asia. Neither Moscow nor Beijing will expose the conflict of interests and rivalry so characteristic of superpowers. The situation results from the fact that both states have a very good understanding that strategic rivalry at a given stage of development of their bilateral relations is not advantageous for any of them. This similar perception of the international situation and the will to limit, and perhaps in further future eliminate, the USA's dominance in Eurasia make an adhesive of Russia and China's strategic partnership. Chinese and Russian authorities are aware of the advantage they have in imperial efforts thanks to complementarity of potentials and coordination of joint as well as individual activities on the international arena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main intention of this article is an attempt to answer the question of how the Sino-Uyghur relations affect the cultural heritage of Muslim Uyghurs? The author devoted special attention to the issue of Uyghur ethnic consciousness, which at some stage differentiated the Uyghurs from Chinese civilization. An important part of the work is also an analysis of the contemporary situation in Xinjiang and the problem of growing Uyghur radicalism. A summary of the considerations concerns the analysis of the mechanisms driving the conflict and possible solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orchard development on eroded uplands is considered as a successful method in integrating soil erosion treatment with economic development in many developing countries. However, much attention focused on its present achievements without thinking over the economic viability over long plantation duration. Orchards that have not been intensified seem to be threatened by complete abandonment. To illustrate the economic viability and sustainability of orchard management, we have deliberately focused on a case study in Southeast China. The results of economic viability based on a cost-benefit analysis showed that orchard management was barely economically sustainable. Their viability is assured if reduced labor costs and increased fruit price are accepted. Based on these results, recommendations are made to prevent the abandonment of orchards on degraded uplands and to preserve its environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay aims to acquaint the reader with the concept of power in the field of international relations. The author provides a discussion of how one should define power, simultaneously emphasizing the problems when it comes to translating this term into Polish. The essential part of the article is dedicated to reflections on its different forms (soft, hard and smart power) as well as its sources that each state has at its disposal. One ought to remember that a particular type of power requires different means and resources as well as that each type is put to a different use, though all of them are meant to for the same purpose, i.e. to achieve its intended outcome. In addition to theoretical reflections on the subject, the essay offers some examples taken from recent history, which will facilitate the analysis and a better understanding of the problems in question. Moreover, the scope of the essay extends to the study of the functioning of Confucius Institutes as a Chinese means of soft power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over recent periods, especially in the last two decades, Africa has recorded growth and received inflows of both direct and indirect forms of foreign investment. This is due to ongoing globalisation and to the redistribution or allocation of capital and wealth among nations with the idea of competing on a global scale. Many countries, particularly sub-Saharan African countries, have seen this trend as part and parcel of their long term development plan and growth agenda ever since China became a development partner for most of these countries. In this paper, the Investment Development Path (IDP) theory introduced by Dunning in 1981 is used to examine the basis of the Chinese Investment model. The author sheds light on Chinese investment in Ghana after 2008 and the performance of these investments. In order to examine the possible positive impacts and prospects of foreign direct investment in Sub-Saharan African countries, the author considers the significant role of Asian investment, especially that of the People's Republic of China and its strategic dominance of investment on the continent. The last section of the article briefly examines the specifics of Chinese investment in Ghana. Finally, the author presents a summary and some policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On considering the current international position of the People's Republic of China, one cannot omit the life and political career of its key reformer, Deng Xiaoping. This article has two main purposes. The first is to show how Deng's life path shaped not only his views, but also personal qualities that helped him question the prevailing status quo and - without de jure changing the regime - lead his country on the road to capitalism and increasing wealth. Tje second goal set by the author is to describe the intricacies of this road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. China is one of the most attractive investment destinations for the biggest global automotive players, and Lean Manufacturing (LM) is their most established business improvement methodology enhancing the automotive industry's performance. Despite intensive investments in LM, the automotive industry is still not able to employ Lean philosophy effectively at Chinese locations. Research aims. Theoretical and empirical questions arise on how to improve the situation in terms of Lean Manufacturing performance at Chinese locations. Thus, in the paper, we pose that if we assume leadership is the crucial enabler in LM implementation, there is an urgent need to address the conditions of Chinese leadership. Method. Basing on the content analysis of existing job offers we estimated the alignments of demands of the job posed by the unique context of Chinese culture with the profiles of candidates that are mostly wanted. Key findings. The content analysis revealed that in job offers there is an underestimation of cultural intelligence skills. The aforementioned analysis led us to the proposition of how to improve leadership in China by introducing a model of Chinese leadership center development denoted as a "China Lean Center". The Center can be used by practitioners to develop in-house skillful and culturally aware leaders in order to enable successful implementation of LM at Chinese locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]