Risk assessment of oil and gas investment environment in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative

With the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, China is deepening its cooperation in oil and gas resources with countries along the Initiative. In order to better mitigate risks and enhance the safety of investments, it is of significant importance to research the oil and gas investment environment in these countries for China's overseas investment macro-layout. This paper proposes an indicator system including 27 indicators from 6 dimensions. On this basis, game theory models combined with global entropy method and analytic hierarchy process are applied to determine the combined weights, and the TOPSIS-GRA model is utilized to assess the risks of oil and gas investment in 76 countries along the Initiative from 2014 to 2021. Finally, the GM(1,1) model is employed to predict risk values for 2022-2025. In conclusion, oil and gas resources and political factors have the greatest impact on investment environment risk, and 12 countries with greater investment potential are selected through cluster analysis in conjunction with the predicted results. The research findings may provide scientific decisionmaking recommendations for the Chinese government and oil enterprises to strengthen oil and gas investment cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road Initiative.

The coordinated evolution of ecological environment,public service,and tourism economy along the Silk Road Economic Belt,using the Dual-Carbon Targets

Carbon peak and carbon neutrality(dual-carbon)are important targets for the international response to climate change.The Silk Road Economic Belt is a strategic resource region and is important for future ecological environment and tourism development.Based on the“dual-carbon”targets,the Single index quantification,Multiple index synthesis,and Poly-criteria integration evaluation model were used in this study to measure the coordinated development index of the ecological environment,public service,and tourism economy along the Silk Road Economic Belt and to analyze its spatial and temporal evolution.Further,it explores the dynamic evolution and development trend of the three systems using the Kernel Density and Grey Markov Prediction Model.The results show that the coordinated development index along this region needs to be improved during the study period.Furthermore,the coordinated development index of the Southwest region is relatively higher than that of the Northwest region.From the development trend of the three systems,all of them develop in a stable manner;however,the tourism economy system is easily affected by external disturbances.The coordinated development index of the three systems changes dynamically and tends to be in a good state of coordination.There is a certain spatial and temporal heterogeneity.The gravity center of the coordinated development index has been in the Southwest region.During the forecast period,the coordinated development index along this region will improve significantly,while insufficient and unbalanced development will continue.

Innovation Analysis of Rural Agricultural Economic Management Model in the Context of the Belt and Road Initiative

[Objectives]To explore innovative strategies for rural agricultural economic development in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative.[Methods]This research adopts the method of literature review and field research,systematically combs the research results related to the Belt and Road Initiative and rural agricultural economic management,and deeply understands the actual situation of rural agricultural economic management.[Results]The research shows that in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative,the rural agricultural economy is facing new development opportunities and challenges,but there are also some problems.In the new period,we should accelerate the innovative development of rural agricultural economy by promoting market-oriented reform,strengthening scientific and technological innovation,optimizing the industrial structure,deepening international cooperation and other measures.The Belt and Road Initiative provides an important opportunity for the innovation of rural agricultural economic management.Rural agricultural economic management should be actively integrated into the Belt and Road construction to improve the level of rural agricultural economic management.[Conclusions]This study provides useful exploration and reference for the innovation of rural agricultural economic management models,which helps to promote the healthy development of rural agricultural economy and achieve the goal of rural revitalization.

Colorectal cancer’s burden attributable to a diet high in processed meat in the Belt and Road Initiative countries

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)plays a significant role in morbidity,mortality,and economic cost in the Belt and Road Initiative(“B and R”)countries.In addition,these countries have a substantial consumption of processed meat.However,the burden and trend of CRC in relation to the consumption of a diet high in processed meat(DHPM-CRC)in these“B and R”countries remain unknown.AIM To analyze the burden and trend of DHPM-CRC in the“B and R”countries from 1990 to 2019.METHODS We used the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study to collate information regarding the burden of DHPM-CRC.Numbers and age-standardized rates(ASRs)of deaths along with the disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)were determined among the“B and R”countries in 1990 and 2019.Using joinpoint regression analysis,the average annual percent change(AAPC)was used to analyze the temporal trends of age-standardized DALYs rate(ASDALR)from 1990 to 2019 and in the final decade(2010–2019).RESULTS We found geographical differences in the burden of DHPM-CRC among“B and R”countries,with the three highest-ranking countries being the Russian Federation,China,and Ukraine in 1990,and China,the Russian Federation,and Poland in 2019.The burden of DHPM-CRC generally increased in most member countries from 1990 to 2019(all P<0.05).The absolute number of deaths and DALYs in DHPM-CRC were 3151.15[95%uncertainty interval(UI)665.74-5696.64]and 83249.31(95%UI 15628.64-151956.31)in China in 2019.However,the number of deaths(2627.57-2528.51)and DALYs(65867.39-55378.65)for DHPM-CRC in the Russian Federation has declined.The fastest increase in ASDALR for DHPM-CRC was observed in Vietnam,Southeast Asia,with an AAPC value of 3.90%[95%confidence interval(CI):3.63%-4.16%],whereas the fastest decline was observed in Kyrgyzstan,Central Asia,with an AAPC value of-2.05%(95%CI:-2.37%to-1.73%).A substantial upward trend in ASR of mortality,years lived with disability,years of life lost,and DALYs from DHPM-CRC changes in 1990-2019 and the final decade(2010-2019)for most Maritime Silk Route members in East Asia,South Asia,Southeast Asia,North Africa,and the Middle East,as well as Central Europe,while those of the most Land Silk Route members in Central Asia and Eastern Europe have decreased markedly(all P<0.05).The ASDALR for DHPM-CRC increased more in males than in females(all P<0.05).For those aged 50-74 years,the ASDALR for DHPM-CRC in 40 members exhibited an increasing trend,except for 20 members,including 7 members in Central Asia,Maldives,and 12 high or high-middle social development index(SDI)members in other regions(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION The burden of DHPM-CRC varies substantially across“B and R”countries and threatens public health.Relevant evidence-based policies and interventions tailored to the different trends of countries in SDIs or Silk Routes should be adopted to reduce the future burden of CRC in“B and R”countries via extensive collaboration.

Explaining the dynamics of the sub-relativistic electron third belt in the Earth's radiation belts by using medium Earth orbit satellite observations

The Earth's electron radiation belts typically exhibit a two-belt structure.However,observations from the Van Allen Probes revealed the existence of a three-belt structure.This structure consists of an inner belt,a slot region,a remnant belt,a“second slot,”and a new outer belt(or the“third belt”).The formation of the structure involves both the partial loss of the original outer belts and the formation of the third belts.These processes are likely associated with radial diffusion induced by ultra-low-frequency(ULF)waves.In this study,we mainly analyzed electron flux data from medium Earth orbit(MEO)navigation satellites M17–M19 to supplement the observational evidence for the sub-relativistic electron(~100–500 keV)three-belt structure.Evidence of substorm injections and ULF waves during the three-belt event was identified,suggesting they played significant roles in the formation and evolution of the third belt.Substorm injections may introduce new electron populations to the third belt,whereas ULF waves may influence the evolution of the third belt through radial diffusion.Toward the end of the three-belt event,the compression of the magnetosphere by shocks may lead to the dropout of the third belt because of the magnetopause shadowing effect and outward radial diffusion,ultimately disrupting the three-belt structure.This study provides more evidence for the presence of a sub-relativistic electron three-belt structure and offers an analysis of the evolutionary mechanisms of the third belt,which may contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the electron three-belt structure in the radiation belts.

The Thematic Forum on China-Hungary Belt and Road Pragmatic Cooperation Held in Budapest

The Thematic Forum on China-Hungary Belt and Road Pragmatic Cooperation was held on May 2nd in Budapest,capital of Hungary.Liu Hongcai,Vice-President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding(CAFIU)said in his speech that all walks of life in China and Hungary should make great efforts to implement the important consensus between the state leaders,promote people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning among civilisation in an in-depth way,create more driving forces aiming at the future and fully leverage the advantage of multi-level cooperation platforms between the two countries,thus playing a constructive role in tackling global challenges together.

A Novel Three-stage Tectonic Model for Mississippi Valleytype Zn-Pb Deposits in Orogenic Fold-and-Thrust Belts

Mississippi Valley-type(MVT) Zn-Pb deposits predominantly form within both orogenic forelands and fold-andthrust belts, yet the mineralization process within the latter tectonic setting remains inadequately understood. This study, through a comprehensive review of MVT deposits across global fold-and-thrust belts, introduces a novel model elucidating the mineralization process in the context of tectonic belt evolution. It is demonstrated that during the stage Ⅰ, regional compression is introduced by early stages of plate convergence, causing the folding and thrusting and creating structural or lithological traps such as evaporite diapirs and unconformity-related carbonate dissolution-collapse structures. Thereafter, in stage Ⅱ, hydrocarbons begin to migrate and accumulate within these traps, where reduced sulfur is generated through thermochemical or bacterial sulfate reduction concurrent with or preceding Zn-Pb mineralization. In the subsequent stage Ⅲ, as plate convergence persists, the regional stress transitions from compression to transpression or extension. Under these conditions, steeply-dipping extensional faults are generated, facilitating the ascent of metalliferous brines into early-formed structural or lithological traps. Precipitation of Zn and Pb sulfides occurs through the mixing of Zn-Pb-transporting fluids with pre-existing reduced sulfur or by interaction with hydrocarbons.

Advancing Internationalization:Actively Pursuing a Shared Vision-An Examination of CPP’s Dynamic Involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative

On September 7,2013,President Xi Jinping proposed the significant initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt.On October 3,2013,President Xi proposed the major initiative of jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.Since its inception in the autumn of 2013,the Belt and Road initiative,envisioned as a monumental project carrying the mission of the era,has turned a new page in the global development process.Over the past 11 years,China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co.,Ltd.(CPP)has thoroughly implemented the strategic deployment of China National Petroleum Corporation(CNPC),actively fulfilled its corporate responsibilities,and embraced high-quality participation in the Belt and Road Initiative as its mission.By fully leveraging its international advantages,CPP has continuously contributed“pipeline strength”to the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road.

Preliminary Study on Overseas Applicability of Chinese Architectural Design Standards:Taking China-Aided Construction Projects in Asia Since the Belt and Road Initiative as Examples

This research takes China-aided construction projects in Asia since the Belt and Road Initiative as examples to explore the applicability of Chinese architectural design standards in other Asian countries.So far,the standards demonstrated the highest applicability in South Asia is the best followed by Southeast Asia.Chinese architectural design standards for educational buildings showed the highest applicability,followed by office,medical,and sports buildings.This study puts forward some strategies to improve the applicability of Chinese architectural design standards.These strategies include integrating regionalism and local cultural traditions,optimizing energy efficiency,and aligning designs with local usage habits.This study serves as a reference for similar projects in the future.

The Impact of the“Belt and Road”Initiative on Industrial Structure Upgrading Along the Corridor

The“Belt and Road”initiative functions as a novel impetus for China’s external economic development within the framework of the new normal of economic growth.By leveraging panel data from 30 provinces and regions across China for the period of 2010 to 2020,this research assesses the influence of the“Belt and Road”initiative on the enhancement of the industrial structure along its trajectory.The findings indicate that:the most notable influence on the rationalization and progress of the industrial structure is observed in the eastern region,with the central region following suit,whereas the western region has yet to exhibit a significant transformation.The analysis delves into the role of technological innovation,concluding that the initiative primarily catalyzes optimization and upgrading through the effect of technological advancement.The study advances several pertinent policy recommendations to support and enhance these developments.

Research on the Communication and Development of Heilongjiang Cultural and Creative Industry under the Background of“Belt and Road”

This paper focuses on the research on the dissemination and development of cultural and creative industries in Heilongjiang Province under the background of“Belt and Road.”Firstly,the paper analyzes the main characteristics of cultural and creative industries in Heilongjiang Province and then puts forward the leading advantages of the government to promote the development of cultural and creative industries.The government gives full play to its regional advantages and creates Longjiang cultural products,while also accelerating regional industrial cooperation and innovative cultural communication forms.In-depth discussion is made on integrating scientific and technological means of the times and strengthening the cultivation of innovative talents.The government optimizes the communication and development path of the Heilongjiang cultural entrepreneurship industry and brings positive influence to the stable development of the Heilongjiang region in the future.

Analysis of International Cooperation Management Strategies of Enterprises under the Background of the“Belt and Road”

With the deepening of the“Belt and Road”initiative,Chinese enterprises are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges for international cooperation.This paper mainly analyzes the current situation,existing problems,and coping strategies of enterprise international cooperation management in the context of the“Belt and Road”.This article expounds on the importance of the“Belt and Road”initiative for international cooperation of enterprises and analyzes the key links of international cooperation management of enterprises from the aspects of internationalization strategy,cross-cultural management,risk prevention and control,and resource integration.Finally,combined with the case,this paper puts forward the management strategies and suggestions that enterprises should adopt in international cooperation,to provide a useful reference for Chinese enterprises in international cooperation in the construction of the“Belt and Road.”

Discourse Analysis of the Belt and Road Initiative From the Perspective of Central Asian Countries: A Case Study of the Republic of Kazakhstan

This study employs Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis(CDA)three-dimensional model,using the Republic of Kazakhstan as a case study,to delve into the discourse construction of China’s Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)in Central Asian countries.Through detailed analysis of policy documents,media reports,and public discussions in Central Asian countries,this paper reveals how the BRI constructs specific social practices,discourse events,and textual meanings within these nations.The findings indicate that through this global development strategy,China has not only strengthened its economic ties with Central Asian countries but has also exerted profound influences on political,cultural,and social levels.

Variation of Accumulated Temperature and Precipitation and Its Effects on Crop Belts over the Past 48 Years in Heilongjiang Province

Based upon 48-year observed data of 80 meteorological observed stations in Heilongjiang province,the paper laid special stress on analysing the temporal and spatial distribution of accumulated temperature and precipitation as well as interdecadal variation in Heilongjiang by means of cluster analysis,taking accumulated temperature and rainfall as main factors.As was shown in the results,with global warming,the mean temperature in Heilongjiang showed a trend of escalation with an average increase of 0.88 ℃ throughout the whole province in recent 48 years.However,the mean temperature anomalies in different years had their own characteristics.Abnormal years in temperature were mainly the extreme cold years before the 1990s;the abnormal years were mainly comprised of the extreme warm years after the 1990s.The province was divided into 5 planting zones according to the results of cluster analysis.The partition of 2 standard climate years in 1961-1990 and 1971-2000 was basically identical.Compared with the demarcation line of 1961-1990,the divisiory boundary of 1971-2000 showed a trend of northward movement.Since 1990s,there was a significant increase in temperature.The changes in division were greater from 1991 to 2005 and the trend of northward movement was more obvious.

Controlling effects of forest belts on non-point source pollution of agricultural lands in Taihu Lake area, China

Taihu Lake area is one of the most developed areas in agricultural production. Application of fertilizers and pesticides in large quantities greatly aggravate environmental pollution of this area, and water pollution has worsened to an unbearable condition. Two sampling farms (respectively 1 hm2) under rape-rice rotation and wheat-rice rotation were selected as studied ecosystem and a 5-yr-old Poplar forest and 8-yr-old Metasequoia forest were chosen in the selected areas. By collecting samples of Nitrogen, Phosphorus in water, crops and underground of forest, the transfer and loss of N and P (main water pollutants) in faming ecosystem were studied, and the effects of forest belts on non-point source pollution of agricultural lands was analyzed. The results indicated that the transfer and loss of N and P vary with means of rotation, types of crops and the amount of fertilizer application. Buffering forest belts betweens farmlands and ditches can effectively stop and purify such elements as N and P in soil runoffs, thus controlling non-point source pollution of agricultural lands. When the width ratio of farmland to forest belt is 100 to 40, 50.05% losing N, 29.37% losing P can be absorbed by forest under rape-rice rotation and 30.98% N, 86.73% P can be absorbed by forest under wheat-rice rotation. When the width ratio of farmland to forest belt is 150 to 40, 33.37% losing N, 19.58% losing P can be absorbed by the forest under rape-rice rotation, and under wheat-rice rotation 20.65% lost N and 57.82% lost P can be absorbed. There is only some purification effect when the width ration of farmland to forest belt is 200 to 40. Based on model of buffering forest belts, the width ratio of farmland to forest is determined between 100 to 40 and 150 to 40, because it not only can purify water, but also occupy less farmland. It is suggested that Poplars, with the characteristics of fast-growing and high value, are suitable to be planted as shelter-forest in Taihu Lake Watershed.

Road Greenbelt Design of Zhangye City

Road greenbelt design is one of the important parts in urban road system.Zhangye City's road greenbelt design,relying on the general planning concept,namely,'water leads to green space,green space blends the city',emphasizes the harmonious relation between the greenbelt and ecological environment.The concept is adopted to guide the green design of the major roads,subsidiary roads,and trunk roads.It will offer some references for the similar engineering design.

A Study on the Needs and the Way of the International Talents Training for Shaanxi Under"the Belt and Road"

This article,emphatically analyzes the needs and the way of internationall talents training for Shaanxi under"the Belt and Road".And it’s hoped that the results can be helpful for providing Shaanxi with solid talents support under the opportunity of"the Belt and Road".

International Dissemination of TCM Culture under the "Belt and Road" Initiative: Opportunities and Challenges

The international dissemination of TCM culture, as a carrier of the implementation of the"Belt and Road"Initiative, is being endowed with greater importance. However, the spread of TCM culture into the world faces opportunities as well as challenges. To better serve the"Belt and Road"Initiative, measures should be taken to strengthen TCM communication and cooperation in different aspects and build a sound intellectual property protection system.

The Northward Shift of Climatic Belts in China During the Last 50 Years and the Corresponding Seasonal Responses

Along the meridian of 105°E, the Chinese region are divided into two parts, east and west. The results show that in the east part of China the temperate extratropical belt, the warm extratropical belt, and the northern subtropical belt shift northward significantly, whereas the middle subtropical belt and the southern subtropical belt have less or no change. As for the northern subtropical belt, the maximal northward shift can reach 3.7 degrees of latitude. As for the warm extratropical belt, along the meridian of 120°-125°E, the maximal northward shift can reach 3-4 degrees. In the west part of China, each climatic belt changes little. Only in the Xinjiang area are the significant northward shifts. Correspondingly, it is found that in the last 50 years the traditional seasons have changed. For Beijing, Hailar, and Lanzhou, in general, summer becomes longer and winter shorter over the last 50 years. Summer begins early and ends late with respect to early 1950s. Contrary to the summer, winter begins late and ends early with respect to early 1950s. Furthermore, spring and autumn have changed over the last 50 years: with respect to early 1950s spring begins early and autumn begins late.

An international program on Silk Road Disaster Risk Reduction--a Belt and Road initiative (2016-2020)

Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) is a Chinese national strategy which calls for cooperative economic, political and cultural exchange at the global level along the ancient Silk Road. The overwhelming natural hazards located along the belt and road bring great challenges to the success of BRI. In this framework, a 5-year international program was launched to address issues related to hazards assessment and disaster risk reduction(DRR). The first workshop of this program was held in Beijing with international experts from over 15 countries. Risk conditions on Belt and Road Countries(BRCs) have been shared and science and technology advancements on DRR have been disseminated during the workshop. Under this program, six task forces have been setup to carry out collaborative research works and three prioritized study areas have been established. This workshop announced the launching of this program which involved partners from different countries including Pakistan, Nepal, Russia, Italy, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan. The program adopted the objectives of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and United Nation Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and was implemented to assess disaster risk in BRCs and to propose suitable measures for disaster control which can be appropriate both for an individual country and for specific sites. This paper deals with the outcomes of the workshop and points out opportunities for the near future international cooperation on this matter.