“One Belt One Road”Initiative and China and the Middle East Media Exchanges

The proposal of the“One Belt One Road”initiative has brought historic opportunities for media exchanges between China and the Middle East,and has also put forward higher requirements for media cooperation between the two sides.At present,media exchanges between China and the Middle East have made positive progress,but there are still some problems.To do a good job in media exchange and cooperation between China and the Middle East,we should start with the implementation and improvement of existing mechanisms,the transformation of media working methods and concepts,the broadening of communication channels,the concern for interests,and the strengthening of personnel training,so as to continuously improve the effectiveness of media exchange and cooperation between the two sides and promote the healthy development of bilateral relations.

Occult hepatitis C virus infection in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean countries:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The presence of hepatitis C virus(HCV)RNA in liver tissue or peripheral blood mononuclear cells with no identified virus genome in the serum has been reported worldwide among patients with either normal or elevated serum liver enzymes.The characterization of occult HCV infection(OCI)epidemiology in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean(M and E)countries,a region with the highest incidence and prevalence rates of HCV infection in the world,would be effective for more appropriate control of the infection.AIM To estimate the pooled prevalence of OCI in M and E countries using a systematic review and meta-analysis.METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using international,regional and local electronic databases.Some conference proceedings and references from bibliographies were also reviewed manually.The search was carried out during May and June 2020.Original observational surveys were considered if they assessed the prevalence of OCI among the population of M and E countries by examination of HCV nucleic acid in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in at least 30 cases selected by random or non-random sampling methods.The meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software based on heterogeneity assessed by Cochran’s Q test and I-square statistics.Data were considered statistically significant at a P value<0.05.RESULTS A total of 116 non-duplicated citations were found in electronic sources and grey literature.A total of 51 non-overlapping original surveys were appraised,of which 37 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis.Data were available from 5 of 26 countries including Egypt,Iran,Pakistan,Saudi Arabia,and Turkey.The overall prevalence rate of OCI was estimated at 10.04%(95%CI:7.66%-13.05%).The lowest OCI rate was observed among healthy subjects(4.79%,95%CI:2.86%-7.93%).The higher rates were estimated for patients suffering from chronic liver diseases(12.04%,95%CI:5.87%-23.10%),and multi-transfused patients(8.71%,95%CI:6.05%-12.39%).Subgroup analysis indicated that the OCI rates were probably not associated with the studied subpopulations,country,year of study,the detection method of HCV RNA,sample size,patients’HCV serostatus,and sex(all P>0.05).Meta-regression analyses showed no significant time trends in OCI rates among different groups.CONCLUSION This review estimated high rates of OCI prevalence in M and E countries,especially among multi-transfused patients as well as patients with chronic liver diseases.

The Complicated Security Dilemma and Armament Trends in the Middle East: The Order and Change Predicaments

The security dilemma is a common problem faced with the states in the ongoing anarchic international system.It does matter in the Middle East like the other ones and also has its impact on the arms races in the region too.Meanwhile there are some characters named as the order and change predicaments such as the colonial background,weak infrastructure of state construction,and the identity politics embedded in the region that do convert the current complex security dilemma into a complicated one.Not only does it have effect on the regional order,the arm race and disarmament,and also offense/defense paradox,but also does it get on the violent bandwagon in the region.Synergies of the both dilemmas did lead the region into the domestic environment change alongside of regional disorder too.Non-neutral involving the trans-regional powers into the(in)security situation in the region not only did not mitigate the situation but also volatile it too.In conclusion the paper does strive to introduce three phrased manners for transition of the complicated security dilemma.

The Distribution of Petroleum Resources and Characteristics of Main Petroliferous Basins along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, abbreviated as the Belt and Road Initiative, is a primary development strategy of China＇s future international cooperation. Especially, the energy resource cooperation, including oil and gas resources cooperation, is an important part of this initiative. The Belt and Road has undergone complicated geological evolution, and contains abundant mineral resources such as oil, gas, coal, uranium, iron, copper, gold and manganese ore resources. Among these, Africa holds 7.8% of the world＇s total proven oil reserves. The oil and gas resources in Africa are relatively concentrated, with an overall low exploration degree and small consumption demand. Nigeria and Libya contain the most abundant oil resources in Africa, accounting for 2.2% and 2.9% of the world＇s total reserves, respectively. Nigeria and Algeria hold the richest natural gas resources in Africa, occupying 2.8% and 2.4% of the world＇s total reserves, respectively. Africa＇s oil and gas resources are mainly concentrated in Egypt, Sultan and Western Sahara regions in the northern Africa, and the Gulf of Guinea, Niger River and Congo River area in the western Africa. The Russia--Central Asia area holds rich petroleum resources in Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The potential oil and gas areas include the West Siberia Basin, East Siberia Basin and sea continental shelf in Russia, the northern and central Caspian Basin in Kazakhstan, the right bank of the Amu-Darya Basin, the East Karakum uplift and the South Caspian Basin in Turkmenistan, and the Amu-Daria Basin, Fergana Basin, Afghan-Tajik Basin and North Ustyurt Basin in Uzbekistan. The Middle East oil and gas resources are mainly distributed in the Zagros foreland basin and Arabian continental margin basin, and the main oil-producing countries include Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. The Asia Pacific region is a new oil and gas consumption center, with rapid growth of oil and gas demand. In 2012, this region consumed about 33.6% of the world＇s total oil consumption and 18.9% of the world＇s total natural gas consumption, which has been ranked the world＇s largest oil and gas consumption center. The oil and gas resources are concentrated in China, Indosinian, Malaysia, Australia and India. The abundant European proven crude oil reserves are in Norway, Britain and Denmark and also rich natural gas resources in Norway, Holland and Britain. Norway and Britain contain about 77.5% of European proven oil reserves, which accounts for only 0.9% of the world＇s proven reserves. The Europe includes main petroliferous basins of the Voring Basin, Anglo-Dutch Basin, Northwest German Basin, Northeast German-Polish Basin and Carpathian Basin. According to the analysis of source rocks, reservoir rocks, cap rocks and traps for the main petroliferous basins, the potential oil and gas prospecting targets in the Belt and Road are mainly the Zagros Basin and Arabic Platform in the Middle East, the East Barents Sea Basin and the East Siberia Basin in Russia-Central Asia, the Niger Delta Basin, East African rift system and the Australia Northwest Shelf. With the development of oil and gas theory and exploration technology, unconventional petroleum resources will play an increasingly important role in oil and gas industry.

Evolution of Middle East's Power Structure

Wang: The U. S. stated purposes of military actions against Iraq are to "overthrow Saddam" and "transform Iraq. " I am afraid such actions would cause a big stir. Tang: I think so. American military actions against Iraq will not only promote the birth of a new Iraq but also change the international relations and military balance in the Middle East. Washington’s revealed intention shows that it hopes to create a democratic and pro-

Application assessment of GRACE and CHIRPS data in the Google Earth Engine to investigate their relation with groundwater resource changes (Northwestern region of Iran)

In recent years,drought has become a global issue,especially in arid and semi-arid areas.It is without doubt that the identification and monitoring of the drought phenomenon can help to reduce the damages that would occur.In addition,rain is one of the factors which directly affect the water levels of underground water reservoirs.This research applied a linear gradient regression method developed on the basis of GRACE,CHIRPS,and data from monitoring wells to investigate the groundwater storage changes.These data have been analyzed on the Google Earth Engine platform.In order to conduct temporal and spatial analyses,the water levels of the aquifer were generated from the monitoring wells and zoned into five classes.Also,the amount of water storage and rain from the year 2003 to 2017 in the West Azerbaijan Province were investigated using the GRACE satellite and the CHIRPS data,respectively.The results obtained from the GRACE satellite data show that the average water level in the underground reservoirs in Iran had started to decrease since 2008 and reached its peak in 2016 with an average decrease of 16 cm in that year.The average annual decline of groundwater level in the studied time period was 5 cm.A chart developed from the CHIRPS annual rainfall data indicates that the biggest decline in rainfall occurred in 2008,and the declining trend has remained steady.Linear analyses were made on GRACE with CHIRPS results and monitoring wells data separately,from which the correlation coefficients are between 86% and 97%,showing generally high correlations.Furthermore,the results obtained from the zoning of the aquifer showed that in the period of 2004 to 2016,due to the decrease in rainfall and the excessive withdrawal of groundwater,the water levels also decreased.

A Securitization-Perspective Analysis of Water Disputes in the Jordan River Basin

Severe water shortage and uneven water distribution plague countries in the Middle East, especially the Jordan River Basin. As a strategic resource with competitive political nature, water resources are closely related to national security, and become the core resource arena that countries along the river basin compete for. This study argues that under the combined effect of the natural factors of water shortage, the geographical factors of uneven distribution of rivers across boundaries, and the subjective factors of water politics (the unfair setting of rules for water allocation), water disputes in the Middle East have become obstacles to regional peace, and the serious uneven distribution of water is the root cause of regional water disputes. Neither the historical water conflicts nor the existing water cooperation framework has solved the problem of balanced water distribution, which makes the people in basin countries directly face the crisis of survival rights and national security, and lays the fuse for the outbreak of regional water disputes and even future water wars. This study proposes the concept and analytical framework of “water securitization” based on securitization theory, and applies it to the Jordan River Basin, to analyze the reasons for the uneven distribution of water resources in the Middle East. The power-dominant state with asymmetric power in the river basin obtains the status of water hegemony by securitizing water, realizing the self-interested distribution of water resources, whichleads to the uneven distribution of water resources, and ultimately leads to the outbreak of conflicts and disputes. Specifically, it mainly adopts three mechanisms of discursive securitization, operational securitization, and institutional securitization. Looking to the future, it is difficult to successfully resolve water disputes in the Middle East in the short term, and a “de-securitization” approach is particularly important in resolving water disputes and easing regional security tension. Only by adopting a multi-field joint strategy can it provide the possibility to effectively resolve water disputes in the Jordan River Basin.

“印太战略”框架下澳越关系的发展及影响

在“印太战略”框架下,近年来澳越两国关系不断升级,双方合作全面推进,两国尤其强化了在防务安全领域的合作和南海问题上的战略协调。澳大利亚希望借助与越南关系的升级提升地区影响力和彰显中等强国地位;越南则希望在南海问题上获得澳大利亚的支持。澳越关系的深化对南海局势及亚太地区秩序的稳定都将产生一定的影响。在推进两国合作制衡中国的战略盘算和应对所谓“中国威胁”的共识下,澳越两国关系将会继续深化,尤其是海洋安全领域的合作将会是两国关系的主要内容。为了维护南海局势和地区秩序的稳定,中国和东盟国家要相向而行,尽力排除域外国家介入南海争端,构建中国和东盟国家共同主导的南海地区秩序。

Economic development and diabetes prevalence in MENA countries: Egypt and Saudi Arabia comparison

Diabetes is increasing in epidemic proportions globally, exhibiting the most striking increase in third world countries with emerging economies. This phenomena is particularly evident in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA) region, which has the highest prevalence of diabetes in adults. The most concerning indirect cost of diabetes is the missed work by the adult population coupled with the economic burden of loss of productivity. The major drivers of this epidemic are the demographic changes with increased life expectancy and lifestyle changes due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Our focus is to compare MENA region countries, particularly Egypt and Saudi Arabia, in terms of their economic development, labor force diversity and the prevalence of diabetes.

International Competition for Discourse Power in the Middle East Upheaval and Implications for China

The fundamental motivation leading to the Middle East Upheaval is an urgent need for the internal political and social transformation in Middle East countries.International public opinion,particularly the Western discourse that occupies a stronger position has had a profound impact on the development of the whole situation.With China’s continued rise,there is an increase in its competitions and frictions with the United States and other Western powers in global political,economic and other areas.The West uses its advantages in controlling international public opinion,and continues to manufacture discourse and set agendas and even slander regarding Chinese policies.This is not only to guide the situation,but more to maintain its dominant position in international affairs and to contain China’s rising influence.In recent years,China has taken a more aggressive Middle East policy.However,its ability to construct discourse and set agendas is relatively lacking.Therefore,China often remains passive and reactive when responding to the traps set in the Western discourse and agendas.This article focuses on the international competition for discourse power in the Middle East upheaval and the implications for china.

China and the Middle East Economic Governance in New Era

The Middle East Region has been suffering serious economic difficulties and the governance deficit for a long time,which demands a global response.In this new era,China has become an important actor in the progression of the Middle East economic governance;the contents of China’s participation in the Middle East economic governance include energy,trade,investment,finance and developmental governance.Participation of China to the Middle East economic governance has improved economic climate and the terms of trade for the Middle Eastern countries,and enhanced their sustainable development ability,and also responded to the criticism from the Western countries accusing China of being a free rider with real actions.Compared to the Western countries,China’s participation to the Middle East economic governance exhibits its own characteristics in governance goals,ability,path,regime,contents and governance styles.“The Belt and Road”Initiative marks China’s participation in the Middle East economic governance enters new level.The depth and result of China’s participation in the Middle East economic governance are affected by various factors.

The Turbulent Middle East: Analysing Security Issues facing China’s Belt and Road Initiative towards the Region

Since the announcement of the‘Belt and Road Initiative’(BRI)in 2013,China has yet to unveil the greatest challenge facing the implementation of this initiative.The Middle East offers both strategic as well as resource opportunities for China but the region remains fluid and unstable security wise.Shaky regional alliances,a dissatisfied labour force,pressures from non-state actors,gender discrimination and human rights abuses and sustained external intervention are just some of the security issues facing the Middle East.How would China navigate itself in such a volatile region without jeopardizing its interests and without breaking the principles of non-intervention and sovereignty?More importantly,what type of power does China want to project vis-a-vis the region?This paper argues that the Middle East region,among all the world’s regions,is the most critical for the success of the BRI.China’s ability to maximize gains amidst regional security challenges will determine the future of its global political and economic influences.The region is a test for China’s diplomacy and credibility,which are crucial for its status as a future global power.

论东盟的“新中间地带”战略

东盟如何应对中美战略博弈是一个需要高度关注的问题。东盟的战略取向不仅会影响中美关系,也能在一定程度上重塑亚太地区格局。东盟表示不选边站,并非无所作为,而是试图在中美之外寻找新的方向和路线。广阔的“新中间地带”将为东盟今后的对外战略提供更多的回旋空间,帮助东盟突破中美战略博弈下的困境。“新中间地带”战略是东盟在百年未有之大变局下的新选择、新机遇和新突破,是东盟为适应大变局而在对外战略上作出的重大调整。

西电东送北通道碳转移特征研究

以西电东送北通道为研究对象,基于拓展的隐含碳转移分解模型,探讨西电隐含碳向东部转移的典型特征,识别关键地区、部门及其关键转移路径.结果显示:内蒙和山西是西电隐含碳转出的关键地区(占比达到85.8%),北京、河北和山东则是转入的关键地区(占比达到91.8%);隐含碳转移以间接路径为主(山西和内蒙向北京、河北、山东的间接转移量占比高达85%~98%);4个东部省市均有多个行业被识别为关键部门,其中既包含一些传统意义上的高碳行业,如化学产品、电力、热力的生产和供应、建筑等,也包含直接碳排放较低的行业,如各类设备制造业、食品和烟草等;以北京和河北的建筑业、食品和烟草业为例发现,C2、C4和C5是其承接西电隐含碳的关键路径,表明该两部门对西电的直接(C2)和间接(C4和C5)依赖度均较高.

Review of Middle East energy interconnection development

In recent years,the Middle East region countries have experienced rapid population and economy growth,which has resulted in large increase of energy and power demand.Although the traditional fossil fuels remain the majority for supplying the domestic demand,additional generating capacity and fuel supply are necessary according to current situation and future demand forecast.The renewable energy provides an alternative resource for satisfying demand,especially in this region with high potential of solar and wind energy.Besides the development of renewable energy,interconnected electricity networks also enable the cross-border power exchange to fulfil electricity demand.Many Middle East countries have already started developing renewable energy and reforming the national power sector for regional electricityintegration.However,none of them has already implemented their targets and the challenges are still huge.This study reviews current conditions of electricity and energy interconnection development,and analyzes the process of regional electricity network integration and national power sector reforms and provides suggestion for regions’plan.Finally,the technology developments for future power grid interconnection and renewable energy integration are also reviewed.

超小型埋弧自动横焊机在竖井压力 钢管焊接中的应用

总结了超小型埋弧自动横焊机设备在中东抽水蓄能电站500 m级深垂直竖井压力钢管现场安装焊接中的应用技术,重点论述了超深竖井井内使用埋弧自动横焊机具有的优点及焊接工艺方法,所取得的经验可为其他同类型水电站竖井压力钢管安装焊接施工提供借鉴。

新型电力系统建设环境下的“西电东送”发展研究

随着新型电力系统建设进程不断深入,“西电东送”作为实现新能源大范围资源优化配置的有效途径,其经营发展迎来了严峻挑战和重要机遇。为此,首先综合我国新型电力系统建设的相关政策和专家观点,对新型电力系统的内涵特征进行系统分析,提出新型电力系统应以新能源为供应主体,以保障电力安全稳定供应为前提,以满足日益增长的电力需求为目标,以智能电网为枢纽平台,以源网荷储互动与多能互补为支撑,并具体提出发电侧、电网侧和负荷侧的内涵特征。进而从主网架形态和规模、电网规划和投资以及跨省区输电价格机制等多个方面,分析新型电力系统的新特点给“西电东送”带来的机遇与挑战。研究得出,应逐步建立和发展适应电力系统发展的主网架形态和电网投资优化策略,结合底层技术保障“西电东送”安全稳定运行,并将原有的、仅由终端用户支付的单一制电量输电价调整为双侧付费的两部制输电价,以期助力新型电力系统建设,促进我国“双碳”目标的加速实现。

京津冀国家算力枢纽节点赋能全球数字经济标杆城市建设

随着“东数西算”工程的启动,京津冀作为国家算力枢纽节点,设立张家口数据中心集群,区域算力布局不断优化。北京自2021年开始加快建设全球数字经济标杆城市,致力于形成算力一体化协同发展格局,数据中心密度达到全球领先水平。北京数字经济核心产业具有较强的基础优势,但数据中心作为高能耗产业,仅依靠北京市当地的基础设施建设无法完全满足实时算力需求。因此,从算力资源共享、绿色能耗支撑、产业发展协同等方面探讨了京津冀国家算力枢纽节点对北京市全球数字经济标杆城市建设的促进作用,并在此基础上针对当前区域协同中仍存在的挑战进行分析。

中东地区某油田自喷井的光伏发电系统设计

中东地区的大型和巨型油田自喷井较多,而自喷井设备的用电负荷较小,且此类地区的太阳能资源丰富,建设光伏发电系统的场地充足,特别适合采用光伏发电技术。以位于中东沙漠地区某已建千万吨级油田的地面工程为例,该地面工程的单井光伏供电项目通过光伏发电系统为自喷井供电,对该光伏发电系统的系统结构设计及主要设备选型等进行分析。以期为同类项目的建设提供参考。

中美战略竞争与亚太中等强国的行为选择——以美国“印太战略”升级为契机

随着中美战略竞争态势的加剧,亚太地区的中等强国在多边制度框架中衍生出不同的战略行为与制度方略,以缓解体系压力和应对外部风险。本文构建以枢纽地位和秩序前景为解释变量、以选边风险为调节变量的分析框架,解释亚太中等强国在“印太”安全和经济制度体系中复杂多样的行为模式。从行为选择看,次地区体系中的枢纽地位决定了中等强国的战略自主性与对抗体系压力的能力,嵌套次地区秩序在内的秩序前景在参照依赖效应下框定了其对现有地区秩序的态度,“印太”制度框架中的选边风险则调节了枢纽地位的作用强度。本文以美国“印太战略”升级为契机,通过考察韩国、澳大利亚、越南和印尼四个案例发现,这些国家在枢纽地位与秩序前景的驱动下,在“印太”安全战略中倾向于以隐性对冲规避风险、以显性制衡承担风险、以显性对冲化解风险和以隐性制衡投机风险,而在“印太”经济战略中,各国则依据对秩序前景的判断来实施制度制衡与制度对冲。明确亚太中等强国在中美战略竞争下的行为模式,对于维护中国国家安全与周边地区秩序稳定具有重要现实意义。