Late Holocene Moisture Changes in the Core Area of Arid Central Asia Reflected by Rock Magnetic Records of Glacier Lake Kalakuli Sediments in the Westernmost Tibetan Plateau and their Influences on the Evolution of Ancient Silk Road

The evolution of Ancient Silk Road(ASR) was deeply influenced by late Holocene moisture changes in Arid Central Asia(ACA). Nevertheless, controversies in Holocene moisture change pattern of ACA and poorly–constrained age models of related studies have made the discussion about late Holocene moisture changes in ACA and their influences on the evolution of ASR difficult. Recently, a high–resolution age model during the late Holocene was established for Kalakuli Lake, a small glacier lake located in the core area of ACA. A thorough rock magnetic investigation was carried out on Kalakuli Lake sediments based on this age model. The magnetic mineral assemblage of Kalakuli Lake sediments is still dominated by primary magnetite despite minor diagenetic effects. Comparisons of rock magnetic records to parameters previously used as indicator of glacier fluctuations suggest that clastic input to Kalakuli Lake was high(low) and magnetic grain size is relatively larger(smaller), when glaciers on Muztagh Ata advanced(retreated). The ARM/SIRM ratio, a magnetic grain size proxy, is directly related to lake hydrodynamics, which are ultimately controlled by glacier fluctuations on Muztagh Ata as the result of regional moisture changes. Late Holocene moisture changes indicated by the ARM/SIRM ratio are consistent with cool/wet and warm/dry oscillations indicated by the unweighted average of biomarker hydrogen isotopic data of the C26 and C28 n–alkanoic acids in a previous study about Kalakuli Lake, most moisture change records of the core area of ACA and winter insolation of the Northern Hemisphere, but opposite to Asian monsoon evolution. Given Asian monsoon and the westerlies are mutually inhibited, we propose that late Holocene moisture changes in the core area of ACA were controlled by the intensity of Asian monsoon versus the westerlies under the governance of solar insolation. Generally increased moisture since the late Holocene indicated by the ARM/SIRM ratio favored cultural exchange and integration between the western and the eastern Eurasia, which paved the way for the formation of ASR. Coincidence between significant increase in moisture at ~200 BC suggested by the ARM/SIRM ratio and the formation of ASR indicates moisture as an important factor that facilitated the formation of ASR. The onsets of three prosperity periods of ASR in the history generally correspond to periods when moisture was relatively high, nevertheless, stagnant periods of ASR do not coincide with periods when moisture was relatively low in the core area of ACA. Disorganized correlations between stagnant periods of ASR and moisture changes in the core area of ACA suggest that moisture is not the decisive factor influencing the evolution of ASR.

The Spatial-Temporal Distribution Patterns of Dyke Swarms in Central Asia and their Tectonic Significance: Case Studies in Eastern Tianshan and Western Junggar

Dykes are a special kind of intrusive rocks which were formed by deep magma intruded into the existing brittle fractures in the crust.Dykes swarms in different tectonic environments are very significant to re-construct the

China-Central Asia Relations and Role of the Belt and Road Initiative

China is moving to greater economic and political influence in the global scale.One of the Chinese strategy for“go global”is Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)which was announced by President Xi Jinping in 2013.The BRI includes a significant number of countries from Asia,Central Asia,the Middle East,Africa,and Europe.In this framework,China relations with Central Asia are an important part of the BRI project.The BRI is not merely an economic project as framed by Beijing,but that it represents a new stage in China’s engagement with the Central Asian republics.The Belt and Road Initiative is highly likely to become China’s most significant contribution to Central Asia economic development.This would affect the China-Central Asia relations economically and politically.

Quantitative Analysis of Mainstream Media Coverage of the“One Belt and One Road”Initiative in Central Asian Countries

Five Central Asian countries are active participants in the construction of“One Belt and One Road”.Understanding the acceptance and participation of the“One Belt and One Road”Initiative by Central Asian countries will help promote the dissemination of some relevant issues,deepen the understanding of“One Belt and One Road”Initiative among the people of the five Central Asian countries,and promote the joint development of“One Belt and One Road”to be deeper and more concrete.This paper takes the official reports related to the“One Belt and One Road”Initiative among the five countries as samples,and on the basis of sorting out the number of reports and analyzing the content of the reports,uses Python language to conduct text mining,and analyzes in detail the reporting tendency and its causes.It is found that due to the different national conditions of Central Asian countries and the development level of their cooperation with China,there are differences in the number and content of the“One Belt and One Road”Initiative reports.Therefore,in addition to strengthening political mutual trust,different communication strategies should be adopted in economic,cultural,and media cooperation to spread the“One Belt and One Road”Initiative to Central Asian countries.

Extent of the"Belt and Road"Initiative in Stimulating Economic Growth in Post-Soviet Central Asia

As the"core area"of the"Silk Road Economic Belt,55 the five Central Asian countries occupy an important position in the"Belt and Road"strategy.With the increase of China's investment,the infrastructure of the five Central Asian countries has been continuously developing,economy persists to grow,and the people's standards of living have been constantly improved.This article focuses on how the"Belt and Road,?initiative has promoted the economic growth of the five Central Asian countries.

An Inquiry into the Approach to Asian Regional Trade Integration Under the Belt and Road Initiative——The Case of the Alignment of a China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Area

It has been five years since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first introduced. Though there has been a growing body of literature on regional cooperation between covered countries, Japan and South Korea have been barely discussed. This paper starts with the consensus-based mechanism of a China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Area (FTA) to probe the approach of its alignment with the BRI in terms of the sequence of “master plans,”“viability of cooperation,” and “embedding of rules.” This inquiry found that the three countries have a shared interest in cooperation in Central Asia to which China prefers a pragmatic approach, while Japan and South Korea an approach combining idealism with pragmatism. Given the huge potential of cooperation between the trio, it is suggested that a “Central Asia chapter” be incorporated in the negotiation framework of this trilateral FTA, and that the design feature three aspects;fundamental principles, specific rules, and an executive body with a view to functionally contributing to regional trade integration in Asia. This approach may also be applied to the alignment of other Asian areas with the BRI.

KEY LINK OF “CONNECTIVITY”: ADVANCING THE SILK ROAD ECONOMIC BELT IN CENTRAL ASIA

Belt and Road Initiative and its implementation globally provide a non-alternative approach for the Central Asian countries to achieve regional integration and build up momentum within the Central Asia for sustaining its integration process. The Initiative opens up an opportunity for the Central Asian countries to further identify their regional advantages and development priorities and facilitate the region’s integration into the international community. In the past five years, the Central Asian countries have actively participated in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, making remarkable achievements and encountering challenges as well.

Strategy of Xinjiang-Central Asia Energy Cooperation in Silk Road Economic Belt

The Silk Road Economic Belt is the updated version of regional economy and trade cooperation. It focuses on cooperation and development in energy, providing broad connotation and denotation and space for XinjiangCentral Asia to cooperate with each other in energy. Although it has bright prospect, the energy cooperation will still be restricted by the complex environment of Central Asia and the internal factors of Xinjiang, such as its unique economic model and industrial structure. Thus, in order to realize mutually beneficial cooperation, which is the common target of Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang and Central Asia need to strengthen energy dialogue and expand the energy diplomacy, promote the construction process of Xinjiang energy strategy base, establish and perfect the information platform of Central Asia energy cooperation.

Population genetic insights into the conservation of common walnut(Juglans regia)in Central Asia

The common walnut(Juglans regia)is one of the most economically important nut trees cultivated worldwide.Despite its importance,no comprehensive evaluation of walnut tree population genetics has been undertaken across the range where it originated,Central Asia.In this study,we investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of 1082 individuals from 46 populations across Central Asia.We found moderate genetic diversity of J.regia across Central Asia,with 46 populations clustered into three groups with a weak relationship between genetic and geographic distance.Our findings reveal that the western Himalaya might be the core region of common walnut genetic diversity in Central Asia and that,except for two populations in Gongliu Wild Walnut Valley,humans might have introduced walnut populations to Xinjiang,China.The observed distribution of the genetic landscape has probably been affected by historical climate fluctuation,breeding system,and prolonged anthropogenic activity.We propose the conservation of the core genetic diversity resources in the western Himalaya and pay special attention to populations from Gongliu in Xinjiang.These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic variation throughout the distribution range of J.regia in Central Asia,which will provide a key prerequisite for evidence-based conservation and management.

一带一路视域下中国—中亚农业合作提升对策研究

中亚五国作为“一带一路”发展框架下丝绸之路经济带沿线国家,近年来,中国与其农业合作日益深化。中亚五国农业生产概况包括农产品贸易、农业基础设施、农业投资与项目合作、农业技术与人力资本等与中国进行农业合作,其农业优势不突出、农业市场发育滞后、农业领域的保护支持制度不完善和农业发展模式单一影响着中国—中亚农业合作的效果。应以以下方法解决问题,推进合作进程:注重优势互补,拓宽农业合作渠道;依托多边机制,制定农业合作标准;保障粮食安全,建立风险防范机制;创新发展模式,融合农业与相关产业。

中国-中亚能源和矿业领域安全发展合作前景展望

中亚地区与中国山水相连,是共建“一带一路”的首倡之地,十年来中国和中亚国家高质量共建“一带一路”取得丰硕成果。中亚地区能源矿产资源丰富,对区域经济社会发展起到举足轻重的作用,中国和中亚在能源矿业领域的安全发展是双方共同的诉求。基于对中亚五国能源矿产资源开发与合作现状、能源矿业安全治理模式的系统研究,对未来中国与中亚五国在能源矿业领域安全发展的合作潜力进行了深入分析,提出了加强能源矿业领域安全发展交流互鉴、定期召开六方会谈、开展“小而美”务实合作的合作模式以及优先开展矿山安全和油气安全两个合作领域的建议,为加强中国同中亚各国在能源矿业领域的安全发展与务实合作提供有益参考借鉴。

蒙元时期新疆、中亚驿道新论

蒙元时期,新疆、中亚驿道的兴衰与当时的政治局势和军事活动密切相关。帝国早期,漠北通往中亚的驿道经过阿尔泰山。失里吉叛乱后,此道受阻,忽必烈开始在畏兀儿地区修筑驿站。后来,该地驿道安全受到海都叛军集团的严重威胁,忽必烈转而扩建塔里木盆地南缘驿道。蒙古诸汗国约和后,新疆、中亚各驿道相继复兴,直到1347年开始走向衰落。新疆、中亚道路的畅通几乎贯穿整个蒙元时期。诸汗国不和时,欧亚大陆物质文化交流的发展并没有受到阻碍。

“一带一路”跨域治理视域下中国—中亚跨界民族问题及其应对研究

中国与周边中亚国家间跨界民族问题的存在及其影响是当代“一带一路”沿线国家和地区实现长久安全与持续发展的重要变量因素,关系到“一带一路”跨域治理进程中我国与中亚命运共同体建构和中国—中亚跨域一体化合作的行稳致远。着眼于兹,有必要围绕“一带一路”跨域治理的目标与框架,针对中国—中亚跨界民族问题的理性认识与科学处理展开深入、系统地研究。对此,本文结合理论与现实,沿循“利用理论解构现实”到“建构理论指导现实”的逻辑路径,就“一带一路”跨域治理视域下中国—中亚跨界民族问题及其应对进行探索,分析了中国—中亚跨界民族问题的内涵及其对“一带一路”跨域治理的多重影响;从主权维护、区域安全、民生发展等三个维度探讨了“一带一路”跨域治理语境下应对中国—中亚跨界民族问题的主要旨趣;继而基于“一带一路”建设稳定与合作,由国际合作体系完善、公共产品协同供给、多元机制复合运用等若干面向提出了应对中国—中亚跨界民族问题的实践策略。

俄乌冲突背景下中国-中亚命运共同体建设

构建中国-中亚命运共同体是中国与中亚五国顺应时代大势做出的战略选择。俄乌冲突持续发酵在国际政治、安全以及经济等领域产生一系列溢出效应,成为影响中国-中亚命运共同体建设的深刻背景。一方面,伴随着权力秩序加速回落,中亚国家“多元平衡”外交政策从积极转向防御,是中国-中亚命运共同体建设面临的核心挑战;另一方面,中国-中亚命运共同体蕴含的巨大经济潜力及其在应对恐怖主义与颜色革命方面的独特优势也使之充满“韧性”,成为中国与中亚五国在经济、安全等领域深化合作的优先选择。构建中国-中亚命运共同体须从四点着手:完善“中国+中亚五国”元首会晤机制的顶层设计;依托“一带一路”倡议,以拉动中亚国家经济增长与维护经济安全为重心推进经济合作;强化上合组织的认同机制建设、对外话语权建设以及反恐体系建设;构建粮食安全共同体、卫生健康共同体与人文共同体。

中国同中亚五国农产品双边贸易现状分析及展望

随着“一带一路”倡议的广泛开展,中亚地区已成为联结“一带一路”沿线各国贸易发展的中枢,农产品贸易作为“一带一路”倡议经贸合作中的重要组成部分,对构建中国-中亚命运共同体起着重要的推动作用。本文通过定性分析2003—2022年中国同中亚五国农产品的双边贸易额及占比发现中国同中亚五国间农产品双边贸易额呈现上升趋势但农产品双边贸易种类较为单一;通过分析中国和中亚五国2022年4类农产品双边贸易比较优势指数发现,吉尔吉斯斯坦在第1、2类农产品上具有比较优势,哈萨克斯坦在第3类农产品上具有比较优势,中国则在第4类农产品上具有比较优;通过分析中国同中亚五国2022年农产品双边贸易优势综合互补性指数发现,中国与土库曼斯坦农产品双边贸易呈现互补性而与哈萨克斯坦、吉尔吉斯斯坦、乌兹别克斯坦以及塔吉克斯坦之间的农产品双边贸易呈现竞争性。

“一带一路”背景下山西“丝路电商”建设研究

本文重在研究山西在中亚地区的“丝路电商”合作前景。首先,本文从线上、线下和物流三个角度分别分析山西和中亚电子商务的发展现状,线上从跨境电商和直播电商的角度探讨了山西和中亚电子商务发展的特点;其次,运用文献研究法从自然资源、旅游资源、农产资源和面食文化四个方面整合了山西“一带一路”背景下发展“丝路电商”的线下资源;最后,结合中亚电子商务发展的趋势,探索山西-中亚电子商务合作的机遇,并提出山西发展“丝路电商”的可行性建议,助力山西尽快融入“一带一路”倡议,更好的建设“数字丝路”。

哈萨克斯坦国家安全战略调整下中国海外利益保护研究

当前,哈萨克斯坦国内政局总体稳定,国际地位和国家影响力不断提高。但哈萨克斯坦国家安全形势仍存在着政治安全风险隐患重重、经济发展持续疲软、社会状况不容乐观、恐怖主义威胁加剧等现实问题。中国企业在哈萨克斯坦的发展状况与哈萨克斯坦国家安全形势息息相关,其采取的政治战略、经济战略和社会发展战略调整措施会对中国海外利益带来相应的风险挑战。通过客观把握哈萨克斯坦国家安全战略选择、政策布局演变,为未来中国在哈萨克斯坦做好海外利益保护,采取措施防范化解社会风险、保护海外利益持续拓展和“一带一路”行稳致远、中国企业更好地“走出去”保驾护航。

“一带一路”十年:中国新疆与中亚高等教育合作的现状、机遇与路径选择

“一带一路”倡议走过了十年征程,面临“再出发”的任务和挑战。《推进共建“一带一路”教育行动》指出迫切需要加强新疆与中亚高等教育的合作。十年来,新疆与中亚搭建合作平台、签署合作协议为促进新疆与中亚高等教育合作提供了顶层设计,但也存在自身高等教育发展水平落后的劣势。面对国家拓展中亚战略伙伴关系的契机,以及“一带一路”建设中新疆的发展机遇,新疆需要应对欧盟、英、美、俄罗斯等国项目计划占领市场的挑战,以及国内其他省份及高校积极拓展合作项目的竞争挑战,基于国家扶持和政府作为,激发新疆高校在学生交流、教师交流、学术研究、教育培训和项目合作等方面的潜力。