Spiritual Forests—A Nature Conservation Model of Ethnic Minority Communities in Central Viet Nam

This paper aims to analyze and evaluate a model of forest conservation and management of ethnic minority (or indigenous) people in central Vietnam, often referred to as the spiritual forest. These forests, called sacred forest or ghost forests by the ethnic minority people in Thua Thien Hue province, have existed for a long time among forest residents. However, they have recently declined, both in quality and quantity, due to various factors, including changes in society, economy, environment, and perception, among other reasons. Based on research conducted in A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province with household interviews, group discussions, and field surveys, we find that spiritual forest retains religious and human significance. They are also often among the last remaining natural forests left due to deforestation by human activities. The research results indicate challenges that conservation of spiritual forest may face, while giving recommendations derived from communities for sustainable forest development and conservation in the region.

Cardiovascular diseases in European ethnic minorities: Beyond the traditional cardiovascular risk factors

This editorial is intended to be a reflection on cardiovascular disease(CVD)burden in European ethnic minorities.In some European countries,ethnic minority realities,due to their recent appearance,are still to be studied in depth.The experience of several European countries,where the migration processes started earlier,even more than a century ago,can help by being an example.Many studies have shown that major differences in CVD burden exist not only between countries,but also within the same country when considering different social strata and ethnic groups.The CV risk factors underlying heart disease have been well established.Important epidemiological studies have helped us understand that the underlying causes of heart disease as well as the behaviors that can help prevent them are the same.We are now well aware that CVD should be treated by considering a holistic approach.This is why the social determinants(SDs)of health that may worsen the disease burden or that,vice versa,may improve the treatment,and even more significantly,the prognosis of a patient’s illness should be taken into consideration.For ethnic minority patients,this holistic,hermeneutic approach is of importance.Several SDs of health that influence CVDs have been identified but their relevance for the health of ethnic minorities has not yet been clearly defined.In some European countries,most ethnic minorities are largely also religious minorities.Only a few studies have evaluated the role of religion,which is an important SD that affects the probability of having CV risk factors and diseases.Adolescents,particularly those belonging to the second generation,seem to be the weak link.If we believe that these young people are really citizens of their country of birth,then a way of recognizing their belonging to the community starts from a will to better understand their condition,in order to assist them while they grow physically and mentally.Thinking about safeguarding the health of this population should be more than a health task,rather a goal of social justice.

The trend of low fertility and aging in ethnic minority areas and the policy responses in China:An analysis based on data from the latest three censuses

Low fertility and population aging are important factors affecting economic and social development.From 2000 to 2020,the development of low fertility in ethnic minority areas shows three trends of accelerated declining,slow declining and first falling and then rising,which are the results of the balance between the inhibiting effect of controlling birth policy and the rapidly rising birth cost,and the promoting effect of encouraging birth policy on the fertility desire of social members.The development of aging in ethnic minority areas shows two trends of acceleration and deceleration,which are the results of the balance between the promoting effect of controlling birth policy,the outflow of young and middle-aged labor force and the rise of life expectancy,and the inhibiting effect of the encouraging birth policy,the restraint of talent return and talent introduction.Combined with the development degree of low fertility and aging,we can accurately classify and implement policies for different ethnic minority areas.The areas with serious low fertility and population aging problems need economic policies to change the population age structure as soon as possible.The areas with slight low fertility and population aging problems should carry out ideological policies in priority to maintain the benign structure of population age.

A Study on the Chess Culture of Ethnic Minority Groups in Gansu Province

As a region inhabited by large populations of ethnic minority groups, Gansu province boasts rich ethnic cultural resources which reflect traditional culture and intangible cultural heritage that had taken shape thousands of years ago. Among these are various ethnic folk chess games. They are time-honored with many types such as the “Fang” chess of the Hui ethnic group, the “Jiu” chess of the Tibetans, the “King and Ministers” chess, the Mongolian chess, the Mongolian military chess, etc. These games embody distinctive ethnic and regional characteristics, as well as the cultural elements of a particular ethnic minority group. It is of great significance, therefore, to study the ethnic chess by collecting, documenting and comparing different types of related chess. The paper explores ways to standardize, protect and promote them scientifically in joint efforts, and draws a conclusion that examining their significance in the present era and the ethnic characteristics is the key to understanding the profound culture behind the chess.

Higher Education Admission Policy and Social Class of Ethnic Minority:The Case of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China

Gaokao has been considered as the gatekeeper of intergenerational class reproduction in today’s slowing social mobility in China.In order to bolster the fairness of Gaokao,the Policy of Bonus Scores for Ethnic Minority Candidates(PBSEMC)has been issued,whose,however,effectiveness in promoting upward social class has not been adequately empirically explored.The difference-in-differences(DID)analysis based on cross-sectional data,which is distinct from the traditional DID analysis paradigm,was implemented to assess the Reform of PBSEMC in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1988.The results showed that PBSEMC had a significant and positive impact on the social classes of ethnic minorities,and gender,residence type and occupation type were also relevant to social class,aligning with the previous literature.The PBSEMC is effective in improving the social classes of ethnic minorities.However,the PBSEMC policy should be made more precise,in order to benefit the candidates who are in genuine need of assistance.

Translation Principles of Chinese Ethnic Minority Classics:A Case Study on the English Translation of Yimakan Mandu Mergen

Different translation principles may result in different translation products Chinese and foreign scholars put forward a lot of insightful and perceptive views on translation principles based on their plentiful translation practice.Taken the Hezhe Peo ple’s oral tradition Yimakan Mandu Mergen as an example,the paper probes into the English translation principles and strategies of Chinese ethnic minority classics.

A Research into English Learning Strategies of Preparatory Ethnic Minority Education

On the basis of survey, students of Preparatory Ethnic Minority are not interested in English learning, and they lack language learning strategies, listening and oral abilities when they are studying English. According to theories of Second Language Acquisition, connected with teaching practice, new English Learning Model is discussed and constructed. It includes"1+2+3" curriculum model, which advocates"Student centered"teaching method and setting up optional courses so that students will at tain the set goal smoothly.

Analysis of the Ecological Migration Pattern in Ethnic Minority Areas——A Case Study of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

By taking Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region as an example,this paper analyzes the ecological migration pattern in ethnic minority areas.The basic patterns of development for poverty relief in Ningxia are in-situ migration and new area development pattern.The new area development pattern includes three types,namely small town development pattern around urban radiation districts,urban labor migration pattern,and large-scale ecological migration pattern.Finally,successful experience of ecological migration in Ningxia is summarized.First,scientific industrial planning shall be made on the basis of proper selection of ecological migration location in immigrant settlement regions.Second,scientific and comprehensive ecological migration policies should be formulated.

Genetic polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA HVS-I and HVS-II of Chinese Tu ethnic minority group

We analyzed the two hypervariable segments HVS-I and HVS-II of 108 Chinese Tu ethnic minority group samples for forensic and population genetics purposes, Comparing with Anderson sequence, 79 polymorphic loci in HVS-I and 40 in HVS-II were found in Chinese Tu ethnic minority group mtDNA sequences, and 90 and 64 haplotypes were then defined. Haplotype diversity and the mean pairwise differences were 0.9903±0.0013 and 5.7785 in HVS-I, and 0.9777±0.0013 and 3.5819 in HVS-II, respectively. By analyzing the hypervariable domain from nucleotide 1,6180 to 1,6193 in HVS-I, we defined some new types of sequence variations. We also compared the relationship between Tu population and other populations using mtDNA HVS-I sequences. According to Rst genetic distances, the phylogenetic tree showed that the Tu population, the Xi＇an Han population, the Chinese Korean, and the Mongol ethnic group were in a clade. This indicated a close genetic relationship between them. There were far relations between the Tu population and other Chinese southern Han populations, Siberian, European, African, and other foreign populations. The results suggest that Tu population has a multi-origin and has also merged with other local populations.

Are“Internet+”tactics the key to poverty alleviation in China’s rural ethnic minority areas? Empirical evidence from Sichuan Province

China has made great efforts to alleviate poverty in rural ethnic minority areas and targeted achieving the poverty-alleviation task by the end of 2020.Aba,Ganzi,and Liangshan,three of the poorest ethnic prefectures in Sichuan Province,Southwest China,have all implemented“Internet+”tactics since 2013,which have had the positive effect of increasing family revenues by improving communication infrastructure and encouraging the large-scale use of e-commerce.This paper aims to comprehensively investigate whether“Internet+”tactics play a key role in poverty alleviation in Sichuan’s rural ethnic minority areas and to propose further measures to enhance the efficiency of e-commerce practice.To this end,we conduct an analysis using the framework of classic growth theory and use panel data from 2000 to 2018 to examine the relationship between Communication Infrastructure Investment(CII)and a set of poverty-alleviation indicators,including local GDP growth rate(LGGR),local government revenue(LGR),and per-capita income of residents(PCIR).The results indicate that strengthening CII improves the PCIR and local economic growth,playing a key role in poverty alleviation.However,the stimulation of CII on LGGR and LGR wanes as time passes.More financial and technical actions will be needed to improve the efficiency and quality of current strategies for sustainable development in those areas.

Study on the Influence of Informal institution on Rural Legal Construction in Northwest Ethnic Minority Region

The Informal institution in Northwest Ethnic Minority Region has dual effects on rural legal construction. In the process of rural legal construction,it can make up for the defects of formal institution to reduce the cost of legal construction,and increase benefit. It also has negative influence on social function,and can't be conducive to the social stability,development and harmony. Civil law is to be more valued,thus avoiding and hampering the implementation of national laws and even covering the operation of national laws,so it is impossible to achieve rule of law. The coordinated development of Informal institution and socio-economic development in Northwest Ethnic Minority Region will contribute to stable and harmonious social development in Northwest Region.

Influence of Urbanization on Growth of Rural Residents' Consumption in Western Ethnic Minority Areas of China

To make clear the relation between urbanization and growth of rural resident consumption in western ethnic minority areas of China,this paper selected cross-sectional area of 12 provinces( cities) in western ethnic minority areas in 2005- 2013 and made an empirical analysis through building panel data of influence of urbanization on rural resident consumption. Results indicate that there is positive correlation between urbanization and rural resident consumption growth in western ethnic minority areas. Urbanization increases income level of rural residents,strengthens demonstration effect of urban residents on rural resident consumption,and accordingly promotes rural resident consumption growth in western ethnic minority areas. Therefore,it is required to accelerate urbanization development,expand channels of increasing farmers' income,improve resident consumption environment,and bring into play promotion function of counties,to drive rural resident consumption growth in western ethnic minority areas.

Factors Influencing Rural Teacher Flow in Yunnan Ethnic Minority Areas

Ethnic minority areas area old revolutionary base areas,areas inhabited by ethnic minorities,remote areas,impoverished areas, and also difficult areas for construction of socialist harmonious society.Studying on factors influencing rural teacher flow in ethnic minority areas is of great significance to improving local teacher team structure and promoting balanced development of urban and rural education.However,it lacks empirical analysis based on field survey for the nonce.In this study,based on interview and questionnaire data of education departments and school leaders in 4 ethnic minority areas of Yunnan Province,it established binary Logistic model,analyzed factors influencing rural teacher flow in ethnic minority areas of Yunnan Province,and finally present policy recommendations.

Development in China's Ethnic Minority Regions:Progress, Inadequacies and Solutions

Since the dawn of the new era, significant progress has been made in the economic, political, cultural, social and ecological development of China's ethnic minority regions under the strategy to "build a moderately prosperous society in all respects,deepen reform, implement the rule of law, and strengthen Party discipline." Nevertheless,in order to fully satisfy the growing needs of people in ethnic minority regions, China must continuously promote endogenous development, rural income growth, skills training,urbanization, poverty reduction effectiveness, social governance and the common values of the Chinese nation, and address the issues related to imbalanced and insufficient development. In light of China's goal to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects for people of all ethnic groups and regions, this paper raises policy recommendations to enhance skills training and vocational education, promote fair access to basic public services, enhance targeted poverty reduction in deeply poor regions, create a public cultural service system involving diverse stakeholders, increase the fairness of ethnic policy for people of different ethnic groups and regions, and balance the relationship between ecological protection and economic development in ethnic minority regions.

Spatial differentiation pattern of interregional migration in ethnic minority areas of Yunnan Province, China

Interregional migration has broad and far-reaching impacts on regional urbanization process in ethnic minority areas of Southwest China.The previous literature of interregional migration paid less attention on the ethnic minority areas with fragile geographical feature and marginal socio-economic context in the developing world due to the dearth of reliable data.Based on the 2015 national 1%population sampling survey at the village/community scale,taking Yulong Naxi Autonomous County,Yunnan Province,China as the case study,this paper analyzed the spatial differentiation pattern.The results showed that:(1)migration in Yulong Naxi Autonomous County exhibited obvious spatial differentiation characteristics in terms of population aggregation,population loss,migration direction,and migration activity;(2)the overall spatial differentiation of migration exhibited a"layer+sector"pattern in Yulong Naxi Autonomous County:the first layer was active areas with net inflows(<20 km from the seat of the county government),the second layer was inactive areas(within 20–60 km of the seat of the county government),and the third layer was a mixed"layer+sector"zone(>60 km to the seat of the county government),comprised of inactive areas and active areas with net outflows;(3)the spatial differentiation pattern of migration was highly correlated with the regional contexts including the regional economic development,regional transportation accessibility and regional social development,while regional physical geographical factors had insignificant relationships with the migration pattern.

Demand of Rural Public Goods in Western Ethnic Minority Areas

In the context of Development of the West Regions and the construction of new countryside,on the basis of defining the concept of public goods,this article analyzes the status quo and layers of demand of rural public goods in western ethnic minority areas:the demand of rural public goods in ethnic minority areas shows "pyramid" structure,that is,the most basic layer is production-based rural public goods,followed by life-based rural public goods and democratic-management-based rural public goods.Finally the countermeasures for achieving effective demand of rural public goods are put forward as follows:adhere to customers(farmers)-oriented principle;innovate upon the rural residents' demand expression mechanism of public goods in ethnic minority areas;achieve diversification of supply subject of rural public goods in ethnic minority areas.

Association of Lifestyle Factors and Sperm Motility in Adults from an Ethnic Minority Region of Southwest China

Objectives: To understand sperm motility in adults and its association with lifestyle in an ethnic minority area in Southwest China. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study to assess sperm motility in male adults was conducted at the Reproductive Health Center from January 2018 to May 2019. The data was collected with a questionnaire and semen quality was analyzed with Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis system (CASA). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to measure the relationship between lifestyle factors and sperm motility. Results: A total of 349 people were recruited. Dietary celery intake was significantly related to the increase of sperm progressive motility and total motility (β = 7.00, 95% CI: 1.59, 12.42 and β = 7.26, 95% CI: 1.45, 13.07, respectively). Cola consumption was associated with increased sperm progressive motility (β = 9.71, 95% CI: 1.46, 17.96). Frequent use of plastic bags for meat food storage (β = -5.56, 95% CI: -10.61, -0.51), industry work (β = -5.64, 95% CI: -11.21, -0.07), organic disease (β = -6.14, 95% CI: -11.00, -1.28) and sedentary lifestyle (β = -5.92, 95% CI: -10.66, -1.17 for 3-5 h/d and β = -6.04, 95% CI: -11.60, -0.47 for ≥5 h/d, respectively) were related with the decreased sperm progressive motility. Meanwhile, using plastic bags for meat food storage (β = -6.37, 95% CI: -11.79, -0.95), industry work (β = -7.96, 95% CI: -13.94, -1.98) and sedentary lifestyle (β = -5.51, 95% CI: -10.60, -0.42 for 3-5 h/d and β = -6.03, 95% CI: -12.01, -0.06 for ≥5 h/d, respectively) were also risk factors for total motility. Conclusions: Some modifiable lifestyle factors such as job title, cola consumption, dietary celery intake, plastic bags for meat food storage, and sedentary hours were linked to male sperm motility, indicating that changing these lifestyles may improve it.

The Impacts of Climate Change on the TraditionalAgriculture of Ethnic Minority in China

Climate change is affecting the IPLCs (Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities) around the world, including ethnic minorities in China, especially from agriculture, animal husbandry, hunting and gathering, which are their main source of livelihoods. At the same time, IPLCs have rich traditional knowledge related to climate and its disasters, especially in their livelihoods. This review work examines the research about traditional knowledge associated to livelihood in monitoring and adapting to changing climatic conditions in ethnic minorities in China. Authors reviewed the research papers and monographs on the traditional agricultural livelihood of ethnic minorities in China, and divided different agricultural types on the basis of literature review. At the same time, authors focused on reviewing the traditional knowledge formed by ethnic minorities in the agriculture, especially the traditional knowledge related to weather and climate information. In authors’ findings authors realized that ethnic minorities are the practitioners of traditional agricultural practices. Their observation and perception come from real life and may not be “scientific”, but they directly reflect the impact of climate change on local livelihoods and contain wisdom to adapt to climate change. Ethnic minorities not only observe and perceive climate change, but also actively adapt to the impact of climate change on traditional livelihoods. In the process of adaptation, traditional knowledge plays a key role. This paper highlights how traditional knowledge can improve understanding of the influence of climate change on livelihood, and provide ideas to develop an equitable and effective plan to adapt the climate change. For the IPLCs, compared with the externally driven adaption options, they are more willing to take the community-based plan, because such plans will enable them to apply their traditional knowledge according to the geographical location and environment of their areas, so that their actions to adapt to climate change will be more effective.

Study on the Development of Modern Characteristic Agriculture in Ethnic Minority Areas in China

China's ethnic minority areas are rich in agricultural resources,but due to natural and historical reasons,the economic foundation is weak,the level of social and economic development is low,and it lags behind in the national economic development.The development of modern characteristic agriculture is the need to speed up the economic development of ethnic minority areas,a strong means to promote the supply-side structural reform of agriculture in ethnic minority areas,and a breakthrough point to promote the economic development of ethnic minority areas.Under the new normal,profound changes have taken place in the new level of development of productive forces and the property rights relations,and the internal and external environment of agricultural development has changed dramatically.Profound changes have taken place in the supply and demand of agricultural products.Ethnic minority areas should give full play to their regional endowments,transform traditional agriculture,creatively develop modern characteristic agriculture,and accelerate their social and economic development.This paper considers and analyzes the importance,present situation and restrictive factors of developing modern characteristic agriculture in ethnic minority areas,and puts forward some ideas and measures for the creative development of modern characteristic agriculture in ethnic minority areas.

Perfecting the Market-Oriented Ecological Compensation Mechanism of Ethnic Minority Areas: A Case Study of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

The construction of the market-oriented ecological compensation mechanism in China is complicated system engineering. China's ecological compensation funds are mainly derived from the public finance, lacking market-oriented operation. That not only increases the financial burden of the government, but also leads to the incomprehensive compensation scope. Moreover, China's ecological compensation lacks market mechanism so that it is difficult to set compensation standards and calculate offsets. This paper takes Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture as an example to analyze the market-oriented ecological compensation system of ethnic minority areas from the perspective of market economy, so as to provide a theoretical basis and a reference point for the establishment of efficient and reasonable ecological compensation mechanism and policies in ethnic minority areas and provide environmental protection for the sustainable development of economy and society of ethnic minority areas.