Border Of China Research Articles

Dynamics in Land Cover and Landscape Patterns of Myanmar: A Three-Decade Perspective (1990–2020)

A comprehensive scientific assessment of the dynamic changes in land cover and landscape patterns in Myanmar, considering both human activities and natural factors such as climate change, is essential for a thorough understanding of the transformations in the country’s ecological environment. This assessment also provides data-driven insights into the complex interactions between humans, climate, and the environment. This study aims to examine the dynamic changes in land cover in Myanmar over a thirty-year period from a comprehensive perspective. This paper, based on the MLC30 land cover dataset for Myanmar from 1990 to 2020, employs land use dynamic degree and land use transition matrix to analyze the extent and process of land cover changes in Myanmar. Furthermore, using landscape pattern indicators, the paper explores the changes in the spatial structural characteristics of land cover in Myanmar at both the patch scale and the landscape scale. The results indicate the following: (a) Areas with significant land cover changes are primarily located in the eastern, southeastern, and southwestern regions bordering China, Laos, and Thailand, as well as the coastal areas, with the change intensity from 2000 to 2020 being notably higher than before 2000. (b) Myanmar’s cultivated land, artificial surfaces, and water bodies show an expanding trend, with cultivated land expansion mainly at the expense of forests, while the increase in artificial surfaces and water bodies is through the conversion of the existing cultivated land. (c) Myanmar’s landscape patterns remained stable from 1990 to 2000. However, after 2000, the land cover has shown a clear trend towards fragmentation and spatial distribution dispersion, especially for the dominant forest and cultivated land types. Despite Myanmar’s rapid economic development, the trend toward the fragmentation and irregularization of cultivated land patches indicates a lack of attention to cultivated land use and planning. The reduction and fragmentation of forest areas have led to a decline in ecological connectivity, posing risks of ecological environment deterioration. Consequently, Myanmar must prioritize scientific land use planning and the rational allocation of land resources to foster the sustainable development of agriculture and the protection of natural ecosystems.

WTO Legality Analysis of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and China's Response

Now that the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has entered into force and is entering a transition period, its compliance with WTO trade rules has been controversial. CBAM's differential treatment of goods from different origins based on their carbon content violates the GATT principle of non-discrimination and may result in WTO members being denied fair, just and equal treatment in international trade. CBAM is a tax on the carbon emissions of some specific imported goods, requiring high-carbon products imported into or exported from the EU to pay the corresponding amount of tax or refund the corresponding carbon emission quotas, thus affecting China's export trade. This study mainly utilizes literature research method and comparative research method. At the international level, analyze whether CBAM can meet the WTO legal requirements to construct international carbon tariff rules separately from the existing WTO rules, affecting the global environment and climate change issues. At the domestic level, the impact of CBAM on China's foreign trade is explored. China should adhere to multilateralism, strengthen international cooperation, continuously develop low-carbon technologies and improve the carbon trading market to cope with the impacts of CBAM. Thus, to the effect of safeguarding international interests and contributing to global development.

The Communist Party of Thailand's education for young children in Northern Laos and Southern China

ABSTRACT Education is typically critically important for political movements, One important Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) policy was to make education accessible to the poor and disadvantaged, including upland ethnic minorities such as the Hmong and the Lua. Apart from expanding education for young adults outside of Thailand, the CPT also organized education for young children in northern Laos and southern China, near the border between the two countries. However, a dramatic shift in political alliances – and various other internal and external factors – resulted in the CPT having to withdraw from Laos in early 1979, and falling into rapid decline in the early 1980s. This article considers the primary education that the CPT provided along the Laos–China border, and the experiences of students and teachers. The circumstances of Hmong child students trapped in China during the 1980s, and their readjustment once back in Thailand, are also discussed. The CPT’s education policies are particularly useful for understanding their ideas regarding ethnicity and language, but ultimately the approach of the CPT to ethnicity and language was not radical, and did not differ much from the approach of the government of Thailand.

Religiosity and Scientificity: The Transformation of Missionary Anthropology in the West China Border Research Society (1922–1950)

Religiosity and scientificity have long been intertwined in missionary anthropology. Since the 20th century, there has been a shift from religious missionary anthropology to scientific anthropology worldwide. Reviewing published materials and archives, this paper provides a case study of this transformation. It focuses on how the foreign missionary-founded West China Border Research Society transformed from a relatively closed and fixed local Christian academic research institution into a more open, international, and purely scientific research institution disciplined by Christian rationality. It sheds some new light into the Society’s roles and its transformation process. Contrary to the views of many scholars who assert that the Society “died” in 1937 and subsequently engaged in China’s state service and nation-building efforts, we contend that after 1937, the Society sought greater independence and a more scientific approach. Christianity dominated the Society in the early stages after its inception in 1922 in Chengdu, China, and its research results could not be objective or scientific. Although the Society later became more open and globalized, missionary anthropologists still mainly controlled it. After 1937, missionary anthropologists returned to religious rationality under the pressure of being connected to global academia. The Society eventually adopted “salvage anthropology” and tried to develop into a scientific research institution aimed at objective recording, while this somewhat rigid research approach also disciplined and suppressed the nationalist research orientation of Chinese colleagues and scholars. In response, Chinese researchers established other institutions and journals with stronger nationalism and undertook the “border construction work” that the Society could not accomplish.

Projecting the Potential Global Distribution of Sweetgum Inscriber, Acanthotomicus suncei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Concerning the Host Liquidambar styraciflua Under Climate Change Scenarios.

Acanthotomicus suncei is a newly discovered bark beetle in China that significantly threatens the American sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua. In recent years, this pest has spread from its original habitat to many surrounding cities, causing substantial economic and ecological losses. Considering the wide global distribution of its host, Liquidambar styraciflua, this pest is likely to continue to spread and expand. Once the pest colonizes a new climatically suitable area, the consequences could be severe. Therefore, we employed the CLIMEX and Random Forests model to predict the potential suitable distribution of A. suncei globally. The results showed that A. suncei was mainly distributed in Southern China, in South Hokkaido in Japan, Southern USA, the La Plata Plain in South America, southeastern Australia, and the northern Mediterranean; these areas are located in subtropical monsoon, monsoonal humid climates, or Mediterranean climate zones. Seasonal rainfall, especially in winter, is a key environmental factor that affects the suitable distribution of A. suncei. Under future climates, the total suitable area of A. suncei is projected to decrease to a certain extent. However, changes in its original habitat require serious attention. We found that A. suncei exhibited a spreading trend in Southwest, Central, and Northeast China. Suitable areas in some countries in Southeast and South Asia bordering China are also expected to show an increased distribution. The outward spread of this pest via sea transportation cannot be ignored. Hence, quarantine efforts should be concentrated in high-suitability regions determined in this study to protect against the occurrence of hosts that may contain A. suncei, thereby avoiding its long-distance spread. Long-term sentinel surveillance and control measures should be carried out as soon as A. suncei is detected, especially in regions with high suitability. Thus, our findings establish a theoretical foundation for quarantine and control measures targeting A. suncei.

Alienation That Continues: Changpas—A Borderland Community

The Ladakh region of India has been recently in the limelight due to border tension between India and China. The differing perception of borders and vague demarcation has led to contested claims in the Ladakh region. India and China have fought a war (1962) and are presently engaged in intermittent skirmishes in the Ladakh region. Following the conflict, the borderland of Ladakh witnessed increased troop presence in the area, which created problems for the Changpas, a semi-nomadic community of Ladakh that is primarily dependent on available natural resources for survival. The political tension between India and China leads to the militarisation of the region and restrictions on the movement of Changpas near the borders. These have unintended consequences for the borderland community. The areas with counter-territorial claims include pastures for grazing the herds, and due to the dispute, the Changpas cannot access them. As a result, Changpas suffer economically and socially. While there is much discussion on the India and China border dispute in the region and beyond, the Changpas hardly get required attention in the mainstream debate. Drawing from Border Studies, this article argues that Changpas are an alienated borderland community. Changpas, because of their semi-nomadic lifestyles, lack an agency to highlight their plight or to articulate demands. This article underlines the ordeals of Changpas to present how border communities in conflict zones are compelled to adopt a life forced by circumstances and controlled by external actors.

Book review: Manoj Joshi, (Ed.), India–China Border: The Enduring Threat of War in the Himalayas

Book review: Manoj Joshi, (Ed.), <i>India–China Border: The Enduring Threat of War in the Himalayas</i>

The impact of the belt and road initiative on international consumption risk sharing: A difference-in-differences analysis

This study investigates the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on consumption risk sharing among participating countries. Utilizing a difference-in-differences model within the context of international consumption risk sharing, we analyze data from 2002 to 2022 for 64 BRI countries. Our empirical findings indicate a significant reduction in consumption risk sharing attributable to the BRI. Further subgroup analysis reveals that the BRI hinders consumption risk sharing particularly among countries along the Land Silk Road, especially those bordering China. Key contributing factors include increased tariffs, heightened foreign investment, rising employment rates, increased resident income, and a diversified range of consumer products. These factors exacerbate the BRI's adverse effects on consumption risk sharing in comparison to countries with lower levels of these variables. Our findings suggest that the Initiative has an uneven impact on the mechanisms affecting countries along its route.

Nepal-India Relations: Exploring the Dichotomy between 'Big Brother' and 'Brotherhood'

The historical relationship between Nepal and India is deeply rooted in their geographic proximity and shared elements such as religion, culture, language, and socio-economic interests. While Nepal borders both China and India, its closeness with India is accentuated by these shared attributes and mutual opportunities. The two countries share an open border of around 1,780 kilometers along Nepal's eastern, western, and southern regions. Despite India's larger size, population, and more advanced economic development, Nepal maintains its sovereignty and equal status as an independent nation. However, India's role is often perceived as that of a "big brother" to Nepal, reflecting the disparity in size and influence. Nonetheless, all sovereign nations, regardless of their geographic or economic differences, are regarded as equals in status. In an era defined by globalization, scientific advancements, and technological progress, Nepal aspires to build a strong relationship with India based on mutual friendship and economic cooperation, particularly through foreign investment and the exchange of technology. While occasional tensions arise, usually from the Indian side, they have not escalated into major conflicts and are unlikely to do so. It is widely understood that while friendships may fluctuate, the bond between neighbors remains constant. This article examines the various aspects and dynamics of Nepal-India relations within this context.

Fostering Tourism Through Regional Culture in the Russian–Chinese Borderland: A Case Study of Zabaykalsky Krai and Northeast China

The article focuses on the cultural and civilisational potential of Russian eastern borders and China border regions. The issues raised in this article seem to be topical in the context of two circumstances: first, tourist contacts have undergone significant transformations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and second, the aggravating situation with the emergence of barriers to entry into the European tourism space makes China one of the most attractive regions for tourism development. The concept of ‘border’ appears as a unique sociocultural space where regional culture functioning is mediated by the influence of three cultural dimensions (national, local and foreign). In the era of digitalisation, online platforms act as a modern space for the concentration and accumulation of tourist content. Updating the work on online platforms can become one of the ways of solving the identified problems in the border tourism sector. The article gives a possible solution to the above issues based on the original model of ‘regional cultures dialogueness in the borderland’, its integration into the concept of tourism development in the border areas. The authors suggest recommendations on the vector of modern state policy regarding the development of tourism initiatives in the Russian–Chinese border area.

The Sino-Indian Rivalry and Balance-of-power Theory: Explaining India’s Underbalancing

Balance-of-power theory has been challenged as insufficient for explaining state behaviour. Powerful anomalies for the theory exist, especially among states confronting intense rivalry and war. One such anomaly is underbalancing in the Sino-Indian rivalry by the Indian side up until 2017. Today India is still engaged in limited hard balancing, relying on asymmetrical arms build-up and strategic partnership with the United States and Japan that are not equal to military alignment. This article argues that India has occasionally engaged in hard balancing, relying on arms build-up and limited alliance formation, but in general, there has been a serious effort not to resort to intense hard balancing by forming military alliances or symmetrical arms build-up. This calls for an explanation. The core argument I make is that the type of balancing is intimately related to the type of rivalry states have. The China– India rivalry has yet to become an intense existential variety compared to the India– Pakistan rivalry where existential security and protection of national identity are of major concern. Indian elite’s perceptions of the non-existential character of the Chinese threat and their reading of the Chinese strategy towards India have been the primary factors in explaining India’s balancing response. In the latter, active hard balancing has been occurring both internally and externally, whereas the former is characterised by a combination of limited hard balancing, soft-balancing and diplomatic engagement, components of a hedging strategy. The hard balancing has picked up momentum since 2017 in response to a more assertive strategy of the Xi Jinping regime as the Chinese government has ratcheted up military activity on the India–China border. The general implication is that rivals who do not fear existential threats need not engage in intense hard balancing. Perceptions of the threat level play a bigger role in what kind of balancing behaviour occurs in international politics than acknowledged in standard theories on balance of power, especially of the automatic balancing variety.

Entangled in Regional Geopolitics - Tibetans in the Special Frontier Force of India

The Special Frontier Force (S.F.F.) was raised by the Intelligence Bureau of India in the immediate aftermath of the Indo China war of 1962. Initially composed of Tibetan youths, it was known as the Establishment 22. Records indicate that it was raised by India in coordination with US intelligence Agency, the C.I.A. and with full endorsement of Washington. The force was trained by C.I.A., among other things to collect intelligence from across India’s China border with the help of electronic devices. The C.I.A. patronage was gradually withdrawn after 1964. In India, the force was commissioned to action in Chittagong Hill tracts in 1971, on the eve of Indo Pakistan War over Bangladesh issue. Later they took part in Operation Bluestar in Punjab and fought in the war of Kargil in 1999. Their activities and operations had so far been kept under total secret. Recently they were employed by the Government of India in the border faceoff with China in Ladakh in August 2020. The death of Nyima Tenzin of S.S.F. turned the spotlight on them and their sacrifice was highlighted. The importance of the S.F.F. in India’s security set up has to be understood in the context of the regional geopolitics and India’s Tibet policy. The force was raised in the era of Cold war when the C.I.A. was helping the Tibetan resistant warriors, the Chushi Gandruk, fighting from Mustang in Nepal. India, too was ready to help them even if covertly, to get back Tibet’s political status. Raising of the force gave not only a job opportunity to the Tibetan refugee youths but served their nationalist aspirations and suited India’s need of a trained mountain force post 1962 to combat China in the Himalayan region. But following the withdrawal of the C.I.A., Sino US rapprochement in the 1970s and the subsequent end of the Cold War, the priorities changed in the US and India’s policy towards China also went through several phases. The recent deterioration of relations with China has once again brought Tibetan issue to the limelight. India’s recognition of the S.F.F. actions in the war indicates how India, in order to put pressure on China is giving space to the Tibetan CTA (The Government in Exile, in India) and the Tibetans in S.F.F. The Tibetans have not been able to achieve independence but they are now being used in the political rivalry of the two regional powers.

Investigation of the 2011 Yingjiang, Yunnan, China Ms. 5.8 Earthquake Sequence: Seismic Migration, Seismogenic Mechanism, and Hazard Implication

On March 10, 2011, an Ms. 5.8 earthquake struck Yingjiang City, western Yunnan, China, causing destructive damage. Due to the very sparse distribution of seismic stations on the southwestern border of China, its seismogenic structure and mechanism remain controversial. In this study, with the aid of machine-learning-based detection and location workflow and template matching technique, we detect 10,356 events ranging from December 1, 2010, to April 30, 2011. The high-precision earthquake catalog shows that the foreshocks initiated in the extensional stepover connecting the northeast and middle segments of the Dayingjiang fault and then bilaterally extended northeast and southwest, with migration fronts that can be simulated by fluid diffusion model with diffusivities of 0.8 m2/s and 0.19 m2/s, respectively. The mainshock occurred at the southwest end of the foreshock sequence and then probably activated the northwest-trending blind fault. In addition, we determine the full moment tensor solutions for the mainshock, six large foreshocks, and one aftershock, with magnitudes ranging from 3.03 to 5.80, in which the mainshock was characterized by an obvious negative isotropic (ISO) component. The static Coulomb failure stress change caused by five Mw ≥ 4.0 foreshocks on the mainshock fault plane is ∼24 kPa, reaching the typical static triggering threshold. Therefore, we suggest that both the fluid diffusion and stress perturbation contribute to triggering the mainshock. This study advances our understanding of the spatiotemporal evolution, seismogenic mechanism, and hazard implication for the Yingjiang Ms. 5.8 earthquake and provides additional evidence of natural fluid-triggered seismicity in western Yunnan.

PENYELESAIAN SENGKETA WILAYAH BAGI KEDAULATAN TERITORIAL INDIA ATAS KLAIM SEPIHAK OLEH TIONGKOK

This research discusses the territorial dispute between China and India, which is caused by China's unilateral claim to territory that is considered part of India. This research uses the literature review method to understand why the Chinese government claims the territory and how the dispute can be resolved. It also discusses the difference between legal and political disputes, and how the China and India border dispute can be categorised as an ongoing territorial dispute over the sovereignty of two territories.

Does the Small-Scale Trade in Border Areas Contribute to Poverty Reduction?

With the vigorous development of strategies such as the "Belt and Road" Initiative, the Border Areas and Minorities Development Program, and the Western Development Program, China's border trade has flourished. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the People's Government, China's poverty alleviation efforts have achieved remarkable results that have attracted worldwide attention, successfully eradicating the absolute poverty that has plagued the Chinese nation for many years. In this context, to investigate the impact of border trade on multidimensional poverty in border areas, this paper constructs a multidimensional poverty index from five dimensions: economy, healthcare, employment, education, and living conditions. A fixed-effects model is employed to empirically examine the impact of border trade on multidimensional poverty in border areas and its underlying mechanisms. The research findings are as follows: (1) Border trade significantly reduces the level of multidimensional poverty in border areas. This conclusion remains valid after conducting a series of robustness tests and using lagged variables as instrumental variables to address endogeneity issues. (2) Mechanism analysis reveals that border trade primarily improves multidimensional poverty through employment promotion effects, infrastructure effects, and fiscal expenditure effects. (3) Heterogeneity analysis shows that the poverty reduction effect of border trade is more pronounced in areas with lower population densities, lower urbanization rates, and in the southwestern and northwestern regions. This paper provides a new perspective for building common prosperity in the new era and offers academic support and policy guidance for further promoting border trade and strengthening friendly regional exchanges.

Traditional medicinal knowledge of Sherpa people: Assessment in Xizang, China

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe people of the Pan-Himalayan region are among the most isolated and economically disadvantaged populations worldwide. The Sherpa people, located along the China and Nepal border, rely largely on the natural environment to access essential healthcare services. The region's ongoing economic and social developments threaten indigenous medicinal practices and biodiversity. However, there has been limited comprehensive investigation and documentation of traditional medicine and its associated knowledge in this region. Aim of the studyThe aims are to document the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Sherpa community, assess the conservation status of medicinal plants, and explore the historical factors that have influenced their traditional medicine practices. Material and methodsSemi-structured interviews with 78 Sherpa people were conducted in Chenthang Town, Xizang, China. Use reports (URs) was used to determine the most frequently mentioned medicinal plants or a specific ailment or disease category. The International Classification of Primary Care-2nd edition (ICPC-2) was used to transform the original records into an internationally unified classification. ResultsA total of 51 plant species, one fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H.Sung, J.M.Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora), two lichens (Flavopunctelia soredica (Nyl.) Hale and Parmotrema cetratum (Ach.) Hale), and four minerals were documented, resulting in 824 URs. Ranunculaceae had the most species (5 spp.). The most commonly used method for preparing medicinal substances was decoction (23 species, 40%). Oral application was the preferred route of administration for 81% (41 medicinal substances). Forty-four ailments across 14 ICPC-2 disease categories were documented. Respiratory (320 URs) and digestive (122 URs) categories are among the most common diseases. The top-five ailments were influenza (18 substances; URs = 227), injury blood/lymph/spleen other (11 substances; URs = 66), cough (10 substances; URs = 62), headache (7 substances; URs = 63), and abdominal pain/cramps general (6 substances; URs = 37). The most frequently reported medicinal substances were Panax pseudoginseng Wall. (URs = 128) and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D. Y. Hong (URs = 79). Two special therapies (hot spring therapy and dietary therapy) were described. In-depth ethnographic information on the livelihood and exchange history of Sherpa people were documented. A total of 25 species were sold, of which four species were listed as VU in the IUCN Red List (2023–1), six species were listed as VU, four species were NT, and one species was EN in the China Biodiversity Red list 2021. ConclusionThis study provides the first comprehensive documentation of the 58 traditional medicine substances and two special therapies (hot spring therapy and dietary therapy) used by the Sherpa people in Chenthang. Sherpa's medicinal knowledge has been shaped by historical interactions and contemporary trade practices. To better protect the biocultural diversity of the Himalayan region, priority should be given to the rapid assessment of medicinal plants, knowledge, and use status in this area.

Minorities in the Police Academy: Career Expectations of Female Police Cadets

This study investigates the career expectations of female police cadets within the specific framework of the Chinese police academy system. Focused on their self-perceptions, this research aims to fill a gap in the literature concerning the experiences of female cadets during their training phase. Employing a qualitative approach, the study conducted focus group discussions with 56 female police cadets from diverse specializations and geographic regions. The findings indicate that, despite being a minority within the police academy, female cadets generally respond positively to the training and management strategies. The study reveals a notable shift in identity, with female cadets prioritizing their “police” identity over gender considerations. Additionally, concerns about career placement, competition, and societal expectations emerged, influencing their outlooks on future employment. This research contributes valuable insights into the complex interplay of gender dynamics and career expectations within the police academy context. The methodology and findings offer a foundation for further exploration of gender-related issues in law enforcement education, with implications extending beyond the borders of China.

Modelling COVID-19 transmission dynamics in Laos under non-pharmaceutical interventions, vaccination, and replacement of SARS-CoV-2 variants

BackgroundUnderstanding how the COVID-19 pandemic evolved under control measures is crucial to tackle the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread. Laos, a country bordering China but with late occurrence and low burden of COVID-19 compared to its neighbouring countries, was used for a case study.MethodsA transmission model with disease reporting was proposed to investigate the impact of control measures on the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread in Laos from April 2021 to May 2022. It was assumed that the transmission rate changed with people’s behaviours, control measures and emerging variants; susceptibility decreased with vaccination and infection. Bayesian inference was used for model calibration to data of confirmed cases, deaths, and recoveries, and the deviance information criterion was used to select the best model variant.ResultsOur model including Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), behaviour change, vaccination, and changing variants well explained the three waves in Laos. The Alpha variant was estimated to have a basic reproduction number of 1.55 (95% CrI: 1.47–1.64) and was replaced by the Delta variant from September 2021 which was 1.88 (95% CrI: 1.77–2.01) times more transmissible; the Delta variant was replaced by Omicron variant from March 2022 which was 3.33 (95% CrI: 2.84–3.74) times more transmissible. The Delta variant was the most severe with a case fatality rate of 1.05% (95% CrI: 0.96–1.15%) while the Alpha variant and Omicron variant were much milder. The ascertainment rate was low and variable: first decreasing from 13.2 to 1.8% by 23 May 2021, and then increasing to 23.4% by 15 March 2022. Counterfactual simulations indicated that vaccination played strong roles in reducing infections even under the emergence of immune escape variants while behaviour change delayed but might not flatten the peak of outbreaks.ConclusionsThe three waves of Laos’ epidemics were due to the invasion of more transmissible and immune escape variants that affected the herd immunity built via vaccination and infection. Even with immunity waning and the escape of new variants, vaccination was still the major contributor to control COVID-19 and combining behaviour changes and vaccination would best suppress future outbreaks of COVID-19.

A new multivariate index for ecological security assessment in the China-Myanmar border region

The coordination of development efforts and ecological conservation in China's border regions is a significant challenge due to the overlap of biodiversity hotspots, ecologically fragile zones, and impoverished areas. Achieving the harmonious integration of ecological preservation and economic development relies on the fundamental assessment of ecological security (ES). However, comprehensive assessments of ES in border regions remain limited. This study introduces a new index, the multivariate ecological security index (MESI), which integrates ecosystem vigor, organization, elasticity, services and risk. Here, the MESI was utilized to assess the temporal and spatial changes in ES and its associated impact factors in the China-Myanmar border region (CMBR) from 2000 to 2020. The MESI provides a clear representation of the actual ES status in the CMBR, exhibiting a significant correlation with the eco-environmental quality index (EEQI; p < 0.01). The ES status exhibited notable spatial heterogeneity in the CMBR, consisting primarily of both relatively safe and safe levels, which accounted for approximately 85% of the total area. From 2000 to 2020, the CMBR experienced a gradual improvement in ES status, with the area experiencing an increase in the ES level accounting for 23.41% of the total area, which exceeded the proportion of the area experiencing a decrease in the ES level (4.71%). The combined impact of multiple factors exerted a greater influence on ES than did individual factors alone. Notably, human factors increasingly influenced the ES status during the study period. The results of this study provide valuable insights for ecological preservation and sustainable management in the CMBR, and the MESI can be extended to assess the ES of other regions.

High mortality in free-ranging wild boars associated with African swine fever virus in India.

The present study focuses on the pathological and molecular characterization of African swine fever virus (ASFV) associated with an outbreak in wild boars in two national parks in southern India in 2022-2023. Significant mortality was observed among free-ranging wild boars at Bandipur National Park, Karnataka, and Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu. Extensive combing operations were undertaken in both national parks, spanning an area of around 100 km2, originating from the reported epicenter, to estimate the mortality rate. Recovered carcasses were pathologically examined, and ASFV isolates was genetically characterized. Our findings suggested spillover infection of ASFV from nearby domestic pigs, and the virus was equally pathogenic in wild boars and domestic pigs. ASFV intrusion was reported in the Northeastern region of the country, which borders China and Myanmar, whereas the current outbreak is very distantly located, in southern India. Molecular data will help in tracing the spread of the virus in the country.