Relationships between Basic and Silicic Magmatism in Continental Rift Settings:A Petrogeochemical Study of Carboniferous Post-collisional Rift Silicic Volcanics in Tianshan,NW China

Petrogeochemical data are reported for silicic volcanic rocks from the Tianshan Carboniferous rift, with the aim of discussing the petrogenesis of silicic magmas. Incompatible element vs. incompatible element diagrams display smooth positive trends for the Tianshan Carboniferous rift-related volcanic rocks; the isotope ratios of the silicic lavas [^87Sr/^86S（t）=0.699880.70532; eNd（t）=4.76-8.00; ^206pb/^204pb（t）=17.435-18.017; ^207Pb/^204Pb（t）=15.438-15.509; ^208Pb/^204Pb（t） = 37.075-37.723] encompass those of the basic lavas. These data suggest a genetic link between rhyolites and basalts, but are not definitive in establishing whether silicic rocks are related to basalts through fractional crystallization or partial melting. Geochemical modeling of incompatible vs. compatible elements excludes the possibility that silicic melts are generated by the melting of basaltic rocks, and indicates a derivation by fractional crystallization plus moderate assimilation of wall rocks （AFC） starting from intermediate rocks to silicic rocks. Continuous AFC from basalt to rhyolite, with small rates of crustal assimilation, best explains the geochemical data. The presence or absence of bimodal volcanism （the ＂Daly Gap＂） might be related to cooling rates of magma chambers. In central and eastern Tianshan, the crust was thinner and the cooling rates of the magma chamber within the crust were greater. These conditions resulted in a rapid fall in temperature within the magma reservoir and caused a narrow temperature interval over which intermediate melts formed, effectively reducing the volume of the intermediate melts.

On the 2002 U. S. Mid-Term Election Zhang Yanyu and Wang Wenfeng are both assistant research professors at the Division for American Studies in China Institute of Contemporary International Relations

The first mid-term election of the U. S. in the new century took place on November 5, 2002. One third of the senators from the 107th Congress (34 out of 100), all representatives (435), 36 state governors, and numerous local officials and legislators were to be elected or reelected. The resounding victory of the GOP in the congressional elections and the fact that the Democrats only got three more.

Genetic Relationship of the 1780-1760 Ma Dykes and the Coeval Volcanics in the Lvliang Area, North China

The 1780-1760 Ma Taihang dyke swarm and the coeval Xiong’er volcanic province are the most widespread magmatic events occurring post the amalgamation of the two North China cratons.It has been debated whether

China-US Trade Relations:Win-Win Picture Distorted

At present China-U.S.trade relations are in a state of confusion.Although both countries have gained tremendous benefits from the bilateral trade relationship,some Americans have intentionally distorted some basic facts regarding China-U.S.trade relations. Based on an analysis of some official and nonofficial research reports published in the United States,this article holds that the China-U.S.trade imbalance is the symptom of a bigger issue stemming from the contradiction between the United States as the world's sole superpower and China as an emerging power.Economic globalisation came about due to the needs of western developed countries represented by the United States to boost economic development.Only by seizing the opportunities of economic globalisation, has China gained strong economic growth. Such a development is changing the world political,economic,military and cultural landscape that have been shaped since the post-cold-war era,and has to some extent raised doubt or suspicion on the part of the United States and its western allies.This is a manifestation of how unprepared some people in the United States and other western countries are in the face of China's rapid development and rising status.So,their immediate reaction has been to seek protection for themselves,and try their utmost to prevent China's rapid growth from impacting on the international framework and their vested interests.

China-Rwanda Relations Embrace New Opportunities in the New Era——An Exclusive Interview with Rwandan Ambassador to China Charles Kayonga

RWANDA, a landlocked country in Central and East Africa, is not well known by many ordinary Chinese. As President Xi Jinping started his state visit to the African country in late July, the frst paid by a Chinese president since the two countries established their diplomatic relations in 1971, people began to notice the “land of a thousand hills.”

Bush' s China Policy and the Future of Sino-U.S.Relations

The past two years have witnessed great fluctuations ininternational oil prices,and diplomatic efforts,both above andunder the table,by major powers around this issue.The currenttension in the war-threatened Iraq has added more uncertainties to thefuture world oil situation.Will the world oil supply and demand change?What impact would this exert on big powers’ oil strategy choices,geopolitics as well as world economy?What should China do in such asituation?To find the answers to these questions,at the invitation of theeditor of the Contemporary International Relations,seven experts fromChina Institute of Contemporary International Relations gathered to have adiscussion in early February this year.Naturally,they have differentviews over many issues.Still,we hope our readers would find theirdiscussion interesting.Following is the list of participants.

The Trend of U.S.-China Relations: Is a Conflict Between the United States and China Inevitable?

International relations theory can serve as a guide to understanding national behaviour,especially those that are strained by ideological misunderstandings.Realism basically believes that state behaviour reflects the state’s pursuit of power.Constructivism believes that thought drives behaviour.Therefore,in order to better understand the behaviour between states,this essay suggests that constructivism and realism can interact rather than repel each other,because constructivism can play a complementary role in realism.This combination can promote behavioural understanding between countries without compromising the interests of countries,thereby reducing the possibility of conflict and war.Finally,the ups and downs of Sino-US relations reflect the participation of ideology.In other words,based on this method to analyse the current relationship between China and the United States,it can be predicted that the two countries can basically avoid the war between them.

CHINA-JAPAN RELATIONS AFTER PRIME MINISTER ABE'S VISIT TO CHINA

2018 marked the 40th anniversary of the signing of China:Japan Peace land Friendship Treaty and alsd the 4oth anniversary of China's reform and opening-up.China-Japan relations entered a new stage,a major mark of which was the resumption of exchange of official leadership visits between the two countries that had been interrupted for years.Following Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's successful visit to Japan in May 2018.

Relations Between China and Central Asian Countries Face Opportunity of All-Round Development

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and its western neighbors - the Central Asian countries, the friendly and good-neighborly relationship between the two sides has kept a sound momentum of development. China’s policy of creating an amicable, secure and

CHINA'S NEW ATTEMPTS IN BUILDING A NEW MODEL OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:CHINA-CEE COOPERATION

Proposed by the Chinese Government,China and 16 Central and East European(CEE)countries jointly launched the framework of 16+1 cooperation in 2012.China has actively practiced the concept of openness,inclusiveness and win-win cooperation,putting it into the framework of 16+1 cooperation and making new attempts in constructing a new model of international relations.Over the

India's Major Concerns about China and the Future of China-India Relations

Since 2014, the development of the China-India relationship has followed a trend of starting high and ending low. The China-India relationship warmed up rapidly in the first two years, which nevertheless failed to bring about a substantial breakthrough in their bilateral relations, as India's strategic doubts about China and their differences of interests on numerous issues still pose difficulties.

Evolving Thinking and Policies of China's Diplomacy and China-EU Relations

Evolutions and readjustment permeate China’s diplomatic policy in the six decades’ history of PRC, thanks to the tremendous changes happened to both the world and PRC. Enormous opportunities and challenges to China coincide in the present world. China and EU are rising with bigger role to play in the world, though daunting challenges to bilateral relations beckon.

China's Public Relations and Soft-power

China's foreign strategy and foreign policy have changed tremendously. China began to build up soft-power of national culture and embark on public diplomacy, which aimed at: 1, increasingly exposing China to the world in terms of the state of affairs, policies and values, 2, creating a more objective and amicable milieu of opinions and 3, enhancing China's international image. The author offers her personal perspectives on how to handle relations between pursuing public relations and building up national soft-power, how to advance national soft-power by public relations and the need to obviate ideological barriers.

TWO PAIRS OF STRUCTURAL CONTRADICTIONS IN CHINA-US-LATIN AMERICA RELATIONS： HOW TO VIEW THEM

Before his multi-stop visit to Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Jamaica in Latin America and the Caribbean （LAC） early February 2018, then U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson released many signals for Latin America. Especially in his remarks at the University of Texas at Austin, he portrayed the presence of China and Russia in LAC as a ＂new imperial power＂ and called on nations of Latin America and the Caribbean to review and reassess China-LAC relations. By identifying China and Russia as critical reference variables for future U.S.- Latin America relations, he obviously went beyond the bilateral level of U.S.- Latin relations and implied the important changes in U.S. policy toward LAC that pressured by growing influence of extra-regional actors in LAC, the United States might strengthen its diplomatic efforts in LAC to maintain and consolidate its dominance in the region.

Understanding the Relationship Between Shrinking Cities and Land Prices:Spatial Pattern,Effectiveness,and Policy Implications

Urban shrinkage has emerged as a widespread phenomenon globally and has a significant impact on land,particularly in terms of land use and price.This study focuses on 2851 county-level cities in China in 2005–2018(excluding Hong Kong,Macao,Taiwan,and‘no data’areas in Qinhai-Tibet Plateau)as the fundamental units of analysis.By employing nighttime light(NTL)data to identify shrinking cities,the propensity score matching(PSM)model was used to quantitatively examine the impact of shrinking cities on land prices,and evaluate the magnitude of this influence.The findings demonstrate the following:1)there were 613 shrinking cities in China,with moderate shrinkage being the most prevalent and severe shrinkage being the least.2)Regional disparities are evident in the spatial distribution of shrinking cities,especially in areas with diverse terrain.3)The spatial pattern of land price exhibits a significant correlated to the economic and administrative levels.4)Shrinking cities significantly negatively impact on the overall land price(ATT=–0.1241,P<0.05).However,the extent of the effect varies significantly among different spatial regions.This study contributes novel insights into the investigation of land prices and shrinking cities,ultimately serving as a foundation for government efforts to promote the sustainable development of urban areas.