West China Development Research Articles

A new EDAS method based on prospect theory for Pythagorean fuzzy set and its application in selecting investment projects for highway

PurposeChina is a critical factor for constructing an all-round well-off society. Infrastructure construction, especially high-grade highways, in the western area is an essential component of the strategy for large-scale development of west China. It is crucial to evaluate investment projects for high-grade highways and select the best one. Testing investment projects and selecting the best one can be recognized as a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. In this process, decision-makers (DMs) usually face with uncertain information because of complicated decision environment or their limited knowledge.Design/methodology/approachA new Evaluation based on the Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) for PFS based on the DEMATEL is proposed: The authors offer a new score function and prove some properties for the score function. They put forward a novel Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method for PFS to analyze the relations of criteria and get criteria weights. Considering the bounded rationality of DM, the authors propose a new EDAS method for PFS based on prospect theory. They apply their proposed approach to a western city's actual case in selecting a suitable project for building a high-grade highway.FindingsBy comparison, the authors can observe that our method has some traits: (1) considering bounded rationality of DM; (2) fewer computation; (3) having the ability to obtain the relation of criteria and finding the critical factor in the decision system.Originality/valueIn this paper, the authors propose a new EDAS method for PFS based on the DEMATEL technique. They transform PFS into crisp numbers by their proposed new score function for PFN to make the decision process more convenient. Then, the authors use the DEMATEL method to obtain the relationship between criteria and criteria weights. Furthermore, they propose a new EDAS method for PFS based on DEMATEL to reduce the computational complexity. Finally, they apply our method to a real case and compare our method with two traditional methods.

Modeling China’s interprovincial electricity transmission under low carbon transition

Interprovincial electricity transmission is expected to play an important role towards low carbon transition to facilitate new and renewable energy development in West China to meet the increasing electricity demand in East China. To analyze changes in interprovincial electricity transmission and transmission infrastructure construction under China’s Nationally Determined Contributions and the 2-degree target, this study develops an interprovincial electricity transmission model with multi-voltage levels and integrates it with an improved 30-province energy system model to simulate reference scenario (REF) and three low carbon scenarios from a whole energy system perspective, CP30 (emissions peak in 2030), CPE (emissions peak in advance) and C2D (2-degree target). In 2050, electricity transmission is expected to increase to 2526.5 TWh, 3299.3 TWh, 3714.2 TWh and 4002.0 TWh under the REF, CP30, CPE and C2D scenarios, respectively, and the ultrahigh-voltage transmission demand is expected to reach 595.5 GW, 843.3 GW 917.0 GW and 1198.0 GW respectively. The overall pattern of electricity transmission will become increasingly complex as long-distance and large-capacity transmission becomes more prominent. Inner Mongolia, Northwest China and Southwest China will be the major sources of electricity transmissions, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Guangdong, Central China and East China will be the major importers. Ultrahigh-voltage lines will form large-capacity and long-distance electricity transmission paths connecting the power generation bases and load centers. These findings suggest that there will be a significant increase in the demand for electricity transmission and infrastructure construction in the future and that the policies promoting ultrahigh-voltage lines development should be enhanced.

A Narrative Inquiry into Chinese Teacher Induction in West China through Cross-Cultural Teacher Development.

This article is part of a narrative study of Chinese beginning teacher induction through cross-cultural teacher development, which has been developed and contextualized in the Teacher Education Reciprocal Learning Program between the University of Windsor (UW), Canada and Southwest University (SWU), China. This program is part of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Partnership Grant Project, Reciprocal Learning in Teacher Education and School Education between Canada and China. The partnership builds on the Teacher Education Reciprocal Learning Program, and the Shanghai-Toronto-Beijing Sister School Network. In this article, the authors conducted narrative inquiry with two of the SWU participants in the Teacher Education Reciprocal Learning Program to explore their experience from their cross-cultural learning in Canada to beginning teachers in West China. The findings of the research suggest the need to develop a global and cross-cultural dimension in teacher education and development in West China. It is evident that the cross-cultural experiences in Canada have influenced beginning teachers’ curriculum views, relationship to students, and beliefs about teaching. Their “lived stories” (Connelly & Clandinin, 1990, p. 6) also indicate that the personal, pedagogical, and social influences of cross-cultural experiences play important roles in beginning teachers’ teaching careers.

A Narrative Inquiry into Chinese Teacher Induction in West China through Cross-Cultural Teacher Development

This article is part of a narrative study of Chinese beginning teacher induction through cross-cultural teacher development, which has been developed and contextualized in the Teacher Education Reciprocal Learning Program between the University of Windsor (UW), Canada and Southwest University (SWU), China. This program is part of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Partnership Grant Project, Reciprocal Learning in Teacher Education and School Education between Canada and China. The partnership builds on the Teacher Education Reciprocal Learning Program, and the Shanghai-Toronto-Beijing Sister School Network. In this article, the authors conducted narrative inquiry with two of the SWU participants in the Teacher Education Reciprocal Learning Program to explore their experience from their cross-cultural learning in Canada to beginning teachers in West China. The findings of the research suggest the need to develop a global and cross-cultural dimension in teacher education and development in West China. It is evident that the cross-cultural experiences in Canada have influenced beginning teachers’ curriculum views, relationship to students, and beliefs about teaching. Their “lived stories” (Connelly & Clandinin, 1990, p. 6) also indicate that the personal, pedagogical, and social influences of cross-cultural experiences play important roles in beginning teachers’ teaching careers.

Analysis on the Development of the History of Chongqing in the Perspective of Western Region of China

In the old times, the city of Chongqing has been benefiting in a great deal from the ancient northwest region, which has laid the material and resource basis for Chongqing to develop and prosper, depending on the economic belt of Yangtze River Basin, since modern times, and thus making Chongqing a central city influencing the balance development of social economy and the political stability in the strategic layout of the country. And with the Development of West China and the deployment of “One Belt and One Road”, Chongqing has been playing a more important role in connecting the east and west region, supporting the economy of mid-lower reaches of Yangtze River and affecting the central west region, meanwhile, Chongqing is called upon to repay to the economic development of the west region, and to take the historical mission in cultural guiding, political stability, etc..

Distributed rainfall‐runoff simulation for an unclosed river basin with complex river system: a case study of lower reach of the Wei River, China

AbstractAs the largest tributary of Yellow River and the ‘Mother River’ of Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi Province, Wei River plays a great role in the development of West China. The lower reach of Wei River is the key economic district of this region. In this study, TOPMODEL with infiltration excess runoff was modified and applied to simulate inflow process between the Xianyang and Huaxian (outlet of the study area) hydrological stations for an unclosed river basin with a complex river system as well as ungauged tributaries. At the Qinduzhen and Muduwang hydrological stations, the Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiencies were between 0.70 and 0.84, and the relative errors were between −2% and 12%. Integrated with the observed streamflow in Jing River and Shichuan River and the segmented Muskingum flow routing method, streamflow at Huaxian was simulated. Comparison of the simulation results with and without the south inflow showed that the simulated streamflow at Lintong hydrological station with the south inflow between Xianyang and Lintong was closer to the observed streamflow than the one without the south inflow. However, the difference between the simulated streamflow at Huaxian with and without the south inflow was insignificant. This demonstrates that the streamflow simulation at Lintong is important for simulating flows in the study area with reliability.

Research on the Impact of Resource Tax Reform upon the Development in West China

The economy has been continuously growing along with constant changes and innovations in the resource tax system. Through the background and implication of resource tax reform as well as the mechanism of how such reform affects West China, we can find out the impact of such reform upon sustainable economic growth, the ecological environment and all sectors in West China. In order to further optimizing and upgrading the industrial structure in West China, in my opinion, we should take the following five countermeasures: 1) The scope of taxation is to be enlarged; 2) The tax rate is to be increased step by step; 3) The resource taxation mechanisms are to be integrated and simplified; 4) Preferential taxation polices are to be improved in West China; 5) Auxiliary reforms are to be carried out for the resource taxation.

The ecological system and the regionalization of landscape reconstruction in northwest of China

The northwest of China is a vast area with abundant resources and significant potential for develop- ment. However, the ecological system is extremely vulnerable to damage and must be managed carefully. Thus, the Chinese government is strengthening research on improvement and reconstruction of the ecological system and landscape in northwest of China while moving forward with large-scale development in west China. The dis- advantages and vulnerabilities in the northwest area in China are presented. It is suggested that the reconstruction of landscape should be conducted by step by step regionalization across the various ecological systems in the 3.04 million km 2 northwest area of China. The first level regionalization results of reconstruction of landscape are discussed.

Natural Resources, Institutional Quality, and Economic Growth in China

The resource curse has been mainly studied using cross-country samples. In this paper we analyze a cross-province sample from one country: China. We focus on the interplay between resource abundance, institutional quality, and economic growth, using two different measures of resource abundance (a stock: resource reserves; and a flow: resource revenues), and employing various econometric approaches including varying coefficient models. We find that resource abundance has a positive effect on economic growth at the provincial level in China between 1990 and 2008, an effect that depends nonlinearly on institutional quality (1995 confidence in courts). The ‘West China Development Drive’ policy, initiated in 2000, caused substantial changes, which we investigate through a comparative panel-data analysis.

Conflicts Affecting Sustainable Development in West China Since the Start of China's Western Development Policy

West China provides important ecological services to the rest of the country, and has attracted great attention because of its serious ecological degradation and frequent natural disasters, and its strong connection with the industrial and economic development in East China. In order to strengthen ecological restoration and promote sustainable economic development in West China, the Chinese government adopted the Western Development Policy, which offered financial aid to and initiated a large number of projects in the region. Although many previous studies have emphasized the positive effects of ecological restoration in West China on ecological security and sustainable development of China, relatively less attention has been paid to analyzing multiple conflicts related to sustainable development in the region. This paper examines the main development goals and interests that have caused these conflicts. The authors suggest that integrated conflict management should be carried out for the sustainable development in West China.

Quaternary glacier development and the relationship between the climate change and tectonic uplift in the Helan Mountain

Isolated NE-SW stretching the Helan Mountain massif, separating the temperate grassland of the Ordos plateau from the Tenggeli Desert, is a key position of studying the glacier development in west China as well as the coupling conditions of climate change with tectonic uplift. The glacial landforms and deposits including cirques, peaks, knife-edge ridges, lateral moraines, and terminal moraines distribute above 2800 m a.s.l. in the middle part of the Helan Mountain. This distribution indicates that here was once glaciated during the late Quaternary. Morphology features show a clear sequence of landscape forming events took place throughout the Helan Mountain. Laboratory optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dating (AMS 14C) results indicate a late history of glacial advance. Late Pleistocene glaciers in the middle part of the Helan Mountain advanced to near their positions at least four times, and the glacial sequences can be assigned as the middle stage of last glacial cycle (MIS3b, 43.2±4.0 ka), last glacial maximum (LGM, ∼18 ka), late glacial (12.0±1.1 ka) and neo-glacial (3.4±0.3 ka) respectively. Adopting equilibrium line altitude ∼2980 m of last glacial maximum and the modern theoretical snowline altitude ∼4724 m as the maximum amplitudes, and the standard marine isotope curve (MIS) as the glacial equilibrium line change since the Gonghe Movement (150 ka), the relationship between the mountain altitude and glacier development is discussed herein. Compared with other environmental indexes such as the loess-paleosol and ice core, conclusions are made that glacier advances in the Helan Mountain during the late Quaternary obviously depended on the coupled control of tectonic uplift of mountain with the climate condition. It is at last glaciation that the mountain reached the altitude above snowline and coupled with the glacial climate. The glacial advances occurred in the early and middle stages of last glacial cycle after the Gonghe Movement.

The Effect of Reinforcing the Concept of Circular Economy in West China Environmental Protection and Economic Development

Abstract Currently West China is at its prime time for development. However, there is a great conflict between environmental protection and economic development. To have environmental protection and sustainable economic development in West China and to solve the problem between environmental protection and economic development, there is but one solution, which is to promote circular economy and apply the concept of circular economy in every aspect of West China Development Campaign. Through analysis, the Author maintains that the only way to solve the distinct problem of resource and environment in West China and to effectively develop its economy, society and science is to adopt the approach of circular economy and promote the implementation of circular economy. However, there are still some factors restricting the promotion of circular economy and protection of ecological environment in West China, such as: guiding principle and thinking process on traditional economic development; lack of legal system on circular economy; difficulties in environmental law enforcement; and lack of awareness on environmental protection for some people in West China. Therefore, the Author presents the following suggestions: form a correct view toward development, build up circular economy concept; perfect and accelerate the circular economy legislation; enhance law enforcement and change the assessment standard on political achievement of local government; promote the publicity on environmental protection and circular economy, and enhance the environmental protection awareness of Chinese citizens.

Resource Abundance and Resource Dependence in China

This paper reconsiders the ‘curse of resources’ hypothesis for the case of China, and distinguishes between resource abundance, resource rents, and resource dependence. Resource abundance and resource rents are shown to be approximately equivalent, and their association with resource dependence varies with institutional quality. Resource abundance/rents has a positive impact on economic growth, while resource dependence has a negative impact. The impact of the ‘West China Development Drive’ policy, started in 2000, is substantial, and this is investigated through a comparative analysis based on cross-section samples, and through a panel-data timevarying coefficient approach for West and East provinces. Resource effects do change after the policy shock.

Harmonious Development in West China Based on Constructive Postmodernism

West China represents 71% of the total land in mainland China. But believe it or not, due to being desert, among the soil of Western China, only 4.2% of it is arable. Given the limited arable land in West China, post-modernistic view on West China Development, in particular its stress on sustainability, I suggest that postmodernism, what I’ve been proposing, be our possible way out. Key words: harmonious development; West China; constructive postmodernism

West China Development: Updates on Policy and Progress

West China Development: Updates on Policy and Progress

Ecological and environmental instream flow requirements for the Wei River—the largest tributary of the Yellow River

AbstractInstream flows are essential determinants of channel morphology, riparian and aquatic flora and fauna, water quality estuarine inflow and stream load transport. The ecological and environmental instream flow requirements (EEIFR) should be estimated to make the exploitation and utilization of water resources in a highly efficient and sustainable way and maintain the river ecosystem good health. As the largest tributary of the Yellow River, the Wei River is the ‘Mother River’ of Guanzhong region in Shaanxi province. It plays a great role in the development of West China and the health of the ecosystem of the Yellow River. The objective of this study is to estimate the EEIFR for improving the Wei River's ecological and environmental condition and develop the river healthily. Concerning the main ecological and environmental functions of the Wei River in Shaanxi Province, the EEIFR for each section of the Wei River including minimum instream flow requirements (IFR) for aquicolous biotopes maintenance, IFR for channel seepage, channel evaporation, stream self‐purification and sediment transportation were estimated in this paper. The methods to estimate the instream flow requirements for stream self‐purification and instream flow requirements for sediment transportation were proposed. The temporal scale of typical years include the year with the probability 25% of occurrence (high‐flow year), the year with the probability 50% (normal‐flow year) and the year with the probability 75% (low‐flow year). The results show that the EEIFR for the Wei River mainly include instream flow requirements for self‐purification and sediment transportation in each typical year. From high‐flow year to low‐flow year, the annual EEIFR for each reach decrease, except those for the reach from Linjiacun to Weijiabao, and from Linjiacun at the upper reaches to Huaxian at the lower reaches, and the annual reach EEIFR decrease in a sequence. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The urban system in West China: A case study along the mid-section of the ancient Silk Road – He-Xi Corridor

The evolution of the urban system in the semi-arid and arid West China has a close relationship to the origin, prosperity, and decline of the ancient Silk Road. This urban system bears noticeable inscriptions of the fragile physical environment, complex ethnic mix, and changing political systems and policies. This paper uses the mid-section of the ancient Silk Road – He-Xi Corridor as a case study to examine the challenges of urban development in West China and to propose suggestions for future development from the perspective of comprehensive planning. The research focuses on a series of seven cities and numerous towns which primarily serve the local population by providing different functions, beyond their value to travelers and historians. These cities are rapidly gaining importance to provincial and national authorities. Although current political, social, and economic influences are significant, a considerable part of their evolution can be explained by the natural environment, primary resources, ethnic differences, and their geographical distributions. The investigation examines the relationship between the evolution of these urban centers and internal and external conditions and provides a base for planning policy to enhance their viability as significant nodes for future development.

Environmental Migration and Sustainable Development in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River

This paper explores the demographic impacts of the implementation of the “Grand Development in West China” policies and environmental rehabilitation projects in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It analyses the interaction between the environmental reconstruction and environment-related migration in this region. The intertwined nature of environmental, ethnic, and poverty problems not only bears negatively upon the “alleviation of poverty conducing to the accruement of wealth” of the poverty-stricken population, but also hinders the rehabilitation of the environment. It brings forth some opinions regarding improving the capacity of regional sustainable development through environmental migration.