Minority Regions Of China Research Articles

Multimodal Seed Data Augmentation for Low-Resource Audio Latin Cuengh Language

Latin Cuengh is a low-resource dialect that is prevalent in select ethnic minority regions in China. This language presents unique challenges for intelligent research and preservation efforts, primarily due to its oral tradition and the limited availability of textual resources. Prior research has sought to bolster intelligent processing capabilities with regard to Latin Cuengh through data augmentation techniques leveraging scarce textual data, with modest success. In this study, we introduce an innovative multimodal seed data augmentation model designed to significantly enhance the intelligent recognition and comprehension of this dialect. After supplementing the pre-trained model with extensive speech data, we fine-tune its performance with a modest corpus of multilingual textual seed data, employing both Latin Cuengh and Chinese texts as bilingual seed data to enrich its multilingual properties. We then refine its parameters through a variety of downstream tasks. The proposed model achieves a commendable performance across both multi-classification and binary classification tasks, with its average accuracy and F1 measure increasing by more than 3%. Moreover, the model’s training efficiency is substantially ameliorated through strategic seed data augmentation. Our research provides insights into the informatization of low-resource languages and contributes to their dissemination and preservation.

Mediation Effect of Obesity on the Association of Age at Menarche With Blood Pressure Among Women in Southwest China.

Background Previous studies have been inconsistent about the association between age at menarche and high blood pressure. Little is known about such association across a wide range of menarcheal ages in less developed ethnic minority regions in China. We aimed to explore the association between age at menarche and high blood pressure (BP; ≥140/90 mm Hg) and to examine the mediating effect of obesity and the moderating effect of menopausal status on this association. Methods and Results A total of 45 868 women from the baseline data of the CMEC (China Multi-Ethnic Cohort) were included in this study. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between age at menarche and high BP, and the mediation model was used to evaluate the mediating effects of body mass index and waist circumference on the association of age at menarche with high BP. The mean age at enrollment and age at menarche of participants in our study were 49.3 (SD=10.7) and 14.7 (SD=2.1) years, respectively. Late menarche was associated with a lower risk of high BP (odds ratio, 0.831 [95% CI, 0.728-0.950]). The risk of high BP decreased by 3.1% with each year's delay in the onset of menarche (P for trend <0.001). Body mass index and waist circumference could partially mediate the association of age at menarche and high BP with the indirect effect of body mass index (odds ratio, 0.998 [95% CI, 0.997-0.998]) and waist circumference (odds ratio, 0.999 [95% CI, 0.998-0.999]). Inaddition,the mediation effects were modified by the status of menopause. Conclusions Women with late menarche have a lower risk of high BP, and obesity could be one of the important mediators. Obesity prevention is an efficient strategy to reduce the association between age at menarche and high BP, especially in premenopausal women.

Cross-sectional association between gamma-glutamyl transferase and hyperuricaemia: the China Multi-Ethinic Cohort (CMEC) study

ObjectivesSeveral studies have demonstrated the association between gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and hyperuricaemia, but little is known about such relation in less-developed ethnic minority regions.DesignWe cross-sectionally analysed data from the China...

Comparative Study of English Learning Beliefs between Chinese and Korean College Students in Minority Region

Beliefs are a central construct in every discipline. Meanwhile, students&amp;rsquo; beliefs about language learning play an important role in their language motivation, attitude and achievement. This study intends to explore the current situation of the English learning beliefs of College students in Minority Regions in China and then attempts to find out the similarities and differences in English learning beliefs between Chinese and Korean students. The results show that self-efficacy is the most important factor affecting non-English major sophomores of minority regions. And there are clear differences exist between two sub-scales of English learning beliefs.

Putonghua as “admission ticket” to linguistic market in minority regions in China

This article reports on a multiple-case study that investigates the impact of the promotion of Putonghua on individuals’ social interactions and language identities in multilingual minority regions in China. Drawing on the theory of linguistic market, the study focuses on what mediates individuals’ access to the linguistic market. The 24 participants, from multilingual minority regions of Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia in China, had different linguistic repertoires (monolingual vs. bilingual), and lived in different sociolinguistic contexts where Putonghua or minority language dominates. Data were collected through prolonged, semi-structured interviews and workplace observations. The analysis of data revealed the complex interrelations between people’s language competence as linguistic capital, their exchange of and investment in such capital, and the formation and transformation of their identities. The study also uncovers the role of Putonghua as a high-status language in providing or prohibiting access of other linguistic capitals to the linguistic market, depending on the individual’s competence in Putonghua. In other words, competence in Putonghua serves as the “admission ticket” to the linguistic market, without which the linguistic capitals from other languages cannot be allowed in and exchanged. Therefore, it is important for policy makers to seriously reconsider the statuses of minority languages since Putonghua serves a managing role in the linguistic market.

Language policies and sociolinguistic domains in the context of minority groups in China

ABSTRACTIn mainland China, most ethnic minority students today face the challenge of learning three languages in schools, namely, their home language (L1), Mandarin Chinese (L2) and a foreign language, usually English (L3). Research into trilingual education for minority groups has been most active since the turn of the twenty-first century. This paper offers an overview of recent research, depicting major models adopted by minority schools and the contextual factors leading to the models in various minority regions in China. The paper begins with an account of state policies relevant to language provision for minority groups in China, which is followed by a discussion of the outcomes and models of trilingual education. A critical analysis is then made of contextual factors such as ethnolinguistic vitality, history, economy, geopolitics and the changing status of the three languages that affect trilingual education for minority groups. The paper argues that language policymaking in different domains including families, schools, regions and the state should be informed by research evidence on practical models that are effective in meeting the cognitive and affective needs of children from ethnic minority backgrounds.

An Efficiency of Resource Allocation Research Based on DEA Within 30 Ethnic Minority Autonomous Prefectures

The 12th Five-Year is an important strategic opportunity period for the economic and social development in ethnic minority regions of China. The development strategy of ethnic minority areas should adhere to Scientific Outlook on Development as a guide, suit the measure to local condition, constantly optimize and improve the efficiency of resource allocation then further achieve economic and social scientific development with the national policy support for ethnic minorities. In this paper, the evaluation index system of input and output efficiency of resource allocation in Minority Autonomous Prefecture is established, and the DEA model is the main analysis tool for comparing China's resources allocation efficiency in 30 Ethnic Minority Autonomous Prefectures, and proposes some policy recommendations on optimization of resources allocation.

Assessing the disparity in spatial access to hospital care in ethnic minority region in Sichuan Province, China.

BackgroundThere is a great disparity in spatial accessibility to hospital care between ethnic minority and non-minority regions in China. Being one of the basic social demands, spatial access to hospital care in minority regions draws increasing attention in China in recent years. We performed this study to have a better understanding of spatial access to hospital care in ethnic minority region in China, and to guide the allocation of government investment in the future.MethodsSichuan Province, southwest of China was selected as a sample to examine the difference in hospital access between ethnic minority and non-minority region in China. We applied the shortest path analysis and the enhanced two-step floating catchment area (E2SFCA) method under ArcGIS 9.3 environment.ResultsIn Sichuan, healthcare access in ethnic minority region is worse than in non-minority region in terms of time to hospital and the value of spatial accessibility. There is relatively greater inequality in access to doctors and health professionals than in access to hospital beds. In ethnic minority region, the balance between primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, as well as between public and private hospitals, is less even, compared with the non-minority region. The disparity within ethnic minority region is larger than in non-minority region.ConclusionsThe combination of shortest path analysis and E2SFCA method is superior to the traditional county ratio method in assessing spatial access to healthcare. Compared to the non-minority region, ethnic minority region rely more heavily on government investment to provide healthcare. In ethnic minority region, the current distribution of primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals is inappropriate, and there is an urgent shortage of healthcare personnel. We therefore recommend that the government use preferential policies to encourage more social capital investment in ethnic minority region, use government investment as a supplement to build a more equitable healthcare market, encourage doctors to work in such regions, and push forward road construction in rural area.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease in a Zhuang ethnic minority area in China.

Numerous studies have examined and reported a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population in various countries including China. However, the situation may be different in undeveloped rural minority regions in China because of China's economic diversity. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of CKD and to analyze its associated factors in a Zhuang ethnic minority area in Southwest China. A cross-sectional survey of a rural minority area populated by people of Zhuang ethnicity in Southwest China using multistage, cluster random sampling methods was performed. The prevalence of indicators of kidney damage and CKD were calculated and risk factors associated with the presence of CKD were analyzed. In total, 7588 people participated in the study. After adjustment for age and gender, the prevalence of albuminuria, haematuria and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate were 2.7%, 3.7%, and 2.2%, respectively. After adjustment for age and gender, the prevalence of CKD was 8.3%, while recognition of the disease was 3.6%. Independent risk factors associated with CKD were age, gender, and hypertension. Risk factors independently associated with kidney damage were age, gender, hyperuricaemia, and hypertension. Our data exhibited a lower prevalence and awareness of CKD in undeveloped rural minority regions, especially exhibited a low prevalence of albuminuria. This result attributed to the low prevalence of metabolic disorders in the local region. Risk factors associated with CKD in our study is similar to surveys in other regions of China.

A Sociological Perspective on Suicide in Rural China: A Case Study of G Village in Gansu Province between 1956 and 2009

This essay, taking G village in the northwest minority regions of China as an example, analyzes the quotas quo, types, characteristics, major causes, effects and the trend of suicide cases from sociological perspectives. Based on the data collected from 1956 to 2009, it is hoped to articulate various reasons of suicide that happened in the rural villages of China. And, more importantly, via these suicide cases, a great epic of social change in rural areas of China can be depicted to represent the experience of modernization in minority regions of China. It is found that suicide is significantly related with social characteristics (such as the degree of social liberal, economic model, power structure).The means, causes, quantity and characteristic of suicide vary at different historical stages.

Resource Depletion in China and its Implications for Mongolia

China’s natural resources are concentrated in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities which constitute over 60 per cent of China’s territory. When world attention is drawn to China’s rapid economic development and its global energy strategy, people tend to forget how natural resources in the minority regions were extracted to fuel China’s development prior to its high growth era. In other words, who or what regions sustained China’s economy by providing energy and resources after the 1950s? We may also ask what has happened to these minority regions in China’s new energy strategy. Since these regions are frontier regions, what does China’s energy globalisation look like there? This paper studies the historical process of resource extraction in areas inhabited by the Mongols, focusing on the Daqing Oil Field and North China Oil Field. Through discussing how the depletion of oil in these traditional energy bases has led to China’s energy expansion into its northern neighbour of Mongolia, it aims to define the place and significance of Mongolia in China’s global energy strategy.

Internal migration and the politics of place: a comparative analysis of China and Indonesia

Spontaneous and organized population movements have long been used as a means of promoting a country's goals of development and national integration. At the local level, on the other hand, these movements have frequently done the opposite, fueling local grievances, sharpening group distinctions, and at times creating ‘sons-of-the-soil’ conflicts. In this paper, I explore this apparent tension between the national political rationale for internal migration and the political impact such migration has had locally, in four minority regions of China and Indonesia. I argue that the specific manner in which migration affects local politics is influenced by a country's political regime. In Indonesia, the impact of migration is observed in electoral politics, where ‘politics of place’ have been allowed to emerge. In China, it is perceived in the curbing of national minorities’ territorial autonomy. The role played by local elites and group competition between indigenous people and migrants are also reviewed.

Fuzzy AHP-Based Algorithm for Performance Evaluation of New Socialist Countryside in Northwest Minority Regions of China

New socialist countryside (NHC) is usually observed in rural social economic development in China since 2005. In this paper, we analyzed NSC construction in Northwest Minorities regions of China based on the idea of an Fuzzy AHP Algorithm which builds a combined analysis technique of AHP and Fuzzy theory for multiple criteria decision making, and by four aspects: new farmersdeveloped agricultureharmonious countryside and environment for minority populations. The result show that evaluation index system based on Fuzzy AHP Algorithm in Northwest Minority regions has good reliability.

Guangxi's rural health insurance scheme: evidence from an ethnic minority region in China

China's New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) is designed to improve health-service access for rural residents and prevent impoverishment due to medical expenses. Ethnic minority regions in China have specific socioeconomic conditions and policy environments worthy of exploration to assist in the development of rural health insurance schemes. At the end of 2008 the NCMS's coverage had expanded to cover most of China's rural population and enrollments were high in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Government subsidies form the majority of NCMS funds with individual contributions only a small proportion of the scheme. While NCMS reimbursements are mainly provided for inpatient expenses, the NCMS has increased the use of healthcare services although the degree of financial protection for patients is limited. In Guangxi the NCMS is managed and underwritten by strong government political and financial support. This, combined with a rational reimbursement program, are crucial for the scheme's success. Publicity is essential to improve awareness of the scheme in ethnic minority regions. Shortages of appropriately skilled healthcare workers, and control of escalating medical costs are major issues that will require policy reform.

An AHP-Based Fuzzy Approach to Performance Evaluation of New Socialist Countryside in Northwest Minority Regions of China

In this paper, we analyzed new socialist countryside (NSC) construction in Northwest Minorities regions of China as it was observed in rural social economic development since 2005. The analysis was conducted by means of an AHP-based Fuzzy Approach which builds a system analysis technique for multiple criteria decision making，and by four aspects: new farmers、developed agriculture、harmonious countryside and environment for minority populations. The result show that this evaluation index system has good reliability and environment for minority population needs to be paid special attention

An Empirical Research on Influential Factors in Poverty of Peasant Households in Minority Regions in China

Based on the data of survey in peasant households in poverty-stricken minority counties in Sichuan Province bythe authors, this article is going to employ the Probit Regression Model and make an empirical analysis ininfluential factors in poverty of peasant households in minority regions from the three aspects of peasanthousehold environmental characteristics, family characteristics and policy system. It is indicated by the resultthat, the factors of human capital and national policy system have significant influences upon poverty of peasanthouseholds, such as, educational level of family members, healthy condition and outside labor service, etc.;natural disaster and adverse topographic conditions are the important influential factors in poverty of peasanthouseholds.

Introduction

An intriguing demographic equation resides at the heart of the People’s Republic of China. The equation reads: 55 minorities + the Han = the PRC or, in shorthand format, 55+1=1. Where did this remarkable equation come from? How was it derived and why in this particular form? In an exploration of this question, the present introduction and edited volume investigates the Ethnic Classification Project (or minzu shibie), a massive state-sponsored enterprise undertaken in the PRC wherein a team of social scientists and cadres fanned out in the non-Han minority regions of China to determine once and for all the precise ethnic make-up of the nation.

The characteristics and main problems of minority regions in China

China is a country that has a large number of minorities, who live in specific regions which are mainly located in central and west China. These regions are abundant in natural resources, which are potential advantages and also an important basis for economic development in these regions. They are of general importance for China in strategic and ecological terms. They will not only affect the environment for survival of the minority regions but also affect the sustainable development of the eastern and central parts of China and even the survival and development of the Chinese nation as a whole. Minorities live in relatively compact communities, among the 55 minorities, 35 of them were highly compact minorities, with a compact level of more than 90%. Here the development in infrastructure as well as social and economic development (e. g. export-oriented economy) has been and is still slow, regional poverty are most concentrated. The economic structures in minority areas are still in the low stage, which have resulted in underdevelopment in these regions.