Exploring the moderating role of financial development in environmental Kuznets curve for South Africa:fresh evidence from the novel dynamic ARDL simulations approach

The extant literature has produced mixed evidence on the relationship between finan-cial development and ecological sustainability.This work addresses this conundrum by investigating financial development’s direct and indirect consequences on ecologi-cal quality utilizing the environmental Kuznets curve(EKC)methodological approach.Our empirical analysis is based on the novel dynamic autoregressive distributed lag simulations approach for South Africa between 1960 and 2020.The results,which used five distinct financial development measures,demonstrate that financial develop-ment boosts ecological integrity and environmental sustainability over the long and short terms.In the instance of South Africa,we additionally confirm the validity of the EKC theory.More importantly,the outcomes of the indirect channels demonstrate that financial development increases energy usage’s role in causing pollution while attenuating the detrimental impacts of economic growth,trade openness,and foreign direct investment on ecological quality.Moreover,the presence of an inadequate financial system is a requirement for the basis of the pollution haven hypothesis(PHH),which we examine using trade openness and foreign direct investment variables.PHH for both of these variables disappears when financial development crosses specified thresholds.Finally,industrial value addition destroys ecological quality while tech-nological innovation enhances it.This research provides some crucial policy recom-mendations and fresh perspectives for South Africa as it develops national initiatives to support ecological sustainability and reach its net zero emissions goal.

ON THE DIFFERENTIATION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA’S NORTH,CENTRAL & SOUTH COASTAL REGIONS

Ⅰ. An analysis of the development trend of the economy in the north,middle aud south coastal regions or China since China began to implementreform and open

The Determinants of Risk Exposure When Development Finance Institutions Consider Approval of Funding to Different Development Markets—Case Study Development Bank of Southern Africa

This paper evaluates the determinants of risk exposure when development finance institutions consider approval of funding to different development markets utilising multiple regression econometric models and the Development Bank of South Africa(DBSA)as a case study.The research presents the classical development finance institution(DFI)business model and market size estimation with the contemporary DFI risk classification and enterprise risk management framework.In addition to reviewing the profile of financial and non-financial products and services,the related project cycles and the DFI credit risk pricing and mitigation approaches for the different development markets.Our results suggest that there is a correlation between the funding of under-resourced municipalities by DBSA and its exposure to financial risk though the correlation is not overwhelmingly significant,but also evidence of a negative correlation between the funding of under-resourced municipalities and the minimization of the financial risk exposure of DBSA.Likewise,there is a negative correlation between funding to all three different sizes of a municipality and ability of the DFI to absorb future losses(non-performing loan coverage ratio).The negative correlation is highest for secondary cities followed by metros and least for under resourced municipalities.The research concludes with four major recommendations of what the role of the DFI should be in enhancing access of under-resourced municipalities to development funding.

Development in a Time of War： South Sudan＇s Renewed Conflict and Its Toll Upon Development Prospects for the Region

This paper is an adaptation of a presentation given on March 20, 2015, at the Conference on International Development hosted by Virginia International University. The paper reviews the December 2013 outbreak of civil war in South Sudan, and attempts to untangle the country＇s pre-existing development problems from those more directly related to the war. Finally, the paper discusses international involvement both in South Sudan＇s development and conflict resolution. It focuses in particular on the international debate over methods to end the conflict, the importance of state capacity, and the international understanding of development＇s relationship with the conflict.

Poverty Reduction, Cultural Narrative, and the Realization of Development Rights in South-South Cooperation

The development of any country or society requires a cultural context. A cultural narrative influence the process of development by shaping people’s views and actions, and thus policy. This paper first discusses the importance of cultural narratives, and then analyzes the different cultural narratives on poverty reduction, development, right to development, and South-South Cooperation. It illustrates how cultural narratives significantly influence social justice development and reforms.

Advancing Arts One village’s oil paintings lead the development of south China’s cultural industries

The Dafen art museum, the largest such museum in Shenzhen, was built int he village in 2007 to he a platform for art exhibitions and exchange,

Research progress and challenges of natural gas hydrate resource evaluation in the South China Sea

As an efficient clean energy,natural gas hydrate(NGH)has become a hot topic in recent researches.Since1990 s,China has made great achievements and progress in NGH exploration in the South China Sea(SCS),including determination of the favorable distribution areas and favorable strata thickness,identification of the dual source for accumulation,evaluation of the prospective gas contents,verification of the widespread existence,and confirmation of the technical recoverability of NGH resources.However,there are three major challenges in the NGH studies.First,all the 24 national key and major projects in the SCS focused on trial production engineering and geological engineering in the past 20 years,while 8 of the 10 international NGH research projects focused on resource potential.Second,resource evaluation methods are outdated and some parameter selection are subjective.Third,the existing resource evaluation results are low-level with a great uncertainty,and cannot be used to guide NGH exploration and production or strategic research.To improve the evaluation of NGH resources in the SCS,future researches should focus on four aspects:(1)improve the research on the criterion of the objective existence of NGH and the method of prediction and evaluation;(2)apply new theories and methods from the global NGH research;(3)boost the research on the difference and correlation of the conditions of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in different basins;(4)innovate the theory and method of NGH resource potential evaluation.

Influence of the Eastern Pacific and Central Pacific Types of ENSO on the South Asian Summer Monsoon

Based on observational and reanalysis data,the relationships between the eastern Pacific(EP)and central Pacific(CP)types of El Niño−Southern Oscillation(ENSO)during the developing summer and the South Asian summer monsoon(SASM)are examined.The roles of these two types of ENSO on the SASM experienced notable multidecadal modulation in the late 1970s.While the inverse relationship between the EP type of ENSO and the SASM has weakened dramatically,the CP type of ENSO plays a far more prominent role in producing anomalous Indian monsoon rainfall after the late 1970s.The drought-producing El Niño warming of both the EP and CP types can excite anomalous rising motion of the Walker circulation concentrated in the equatorial central Pacific around 160°W to the date line.Accordingly,compensatory subsidence anomalies are evident from the Maritime Continent to the Indian subcontinent,leading to suppressed convection and decreased precipitation over these regions.Moreover,anomalously less moisture flux into South Asia associated with developing EP El Niño and significant northwesterly anomalies dominating over southern India accompanied by developing CP El Niño,may also have been responsible for the Indian monsoon droughts during the pre-1979 and post-1979 sub-periods,respectively.El Niño events with the same“flavor”may not necessarily produce consistent Indian monsoon rainfall anomalies,while similar Indian monsoon droughts may be induced by different types of El Niño,implying high sensitivity of monsoonal precipitation to the detailed configuration of ENSO forcing imposed on the tropical Pacific.

The Declaration on the Right to Development as a First Step towards a Comprehensive Southern Vision on Human Rights

Having proper sanitation and hygiene, access to affordable health care and enough food on the table are the basic conditions for a dignified life. This link between human dignity and the right to development was made very persuasively already in the White Paper on human rights, issued by the State Council of P.R.C. in 1991. The Declaration on the right to development can be considered the first successful joint action undertaken by Southern states in the area of human rights. The Declaration was based on Southern scholarship, such as the pioneering research conducted by the Senegalese jurist Kéba M’baye. And its adoption was the result of joint stage management performed by diplomats from different continents. Therefore the Declaration serves as a source of inspiration for the work of drafting a Comprehensive Southern Vision on human rights. The Vision document will lay out a common Southern outlook on human rights issues as an elaboration of the Universal Declaration.

Mathematical Model of the Geothermal Water Resources in the South Hot Spring System in Chongqing

The geothermal waters of south hot spring, small hot spring and Qiaokouba in Chongqing, are all part of the south hot spring geothermal water system. Exploitation has caused a decline in the water levels of the south and small hot springs, which have not flowed naturally for 15 years. Now, bores pump geothermal water to the springs. If the water level drops below the elevation of the rivers, river-water will replenish the geothermal water, destroying this resource. It is therefore an urgent task to model the geothermal water system, to enable sustainable development and continued use of the geothermal water in Qiaokouba. A numerical simulation of the geothermal water system was adopted and a quantitative study on the planning scheme was carried out. A mathematical model was set up to simulate the whole geothermal water system, based on data from the research sites. The model determined the maximum sustainable water yield in Qiaokouba and the two hot springs, and the south hot spring and small hot spring sustainable yields are 1 100 m^3/d and 700 m^3/d from 2006 to 2010, 1 300 m^3/d and 1 000 m^3/d from 2011 to 2015, and 1 500 m^3/d and 1 200 m^3/d from 2016 to 2036. The maximum exploitable yield is 3 300 m^3/d from 2006 to 2036 in Qiaokouba. The model supplies a basis to adequately exploit and effectively protect the geothermal water resources, and to continue to develop the geothermal water as a tourist attraction in Chongqing.

Energy Integration in South America Region and the Energy Sustainability of the Nations

The objective of this manuscript is to analyze relation involving the energy sector and socioeco-nomic growth and, then, contextualize the process of energy integration within the development policies in South America. The methodology considers data related to the world’s economy and energy consumption and energy integration policy in countries and regions;and, South America’s energy potential and the energy integration process. Results show that despite the political and institutional difficulties involving the process, energy integration can bring a lot of benefits for countries development. The process of energy integration in South America is divided in three moments, but in both periods the transnational energy projects were restricted, mostly, by a bi-lateral plan and the creation of physical links in a region. In the 21th century’s context, it should be noted Brazil’s participation which has been consolidated as a lead country in this process, and, also the IIRSA (Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America, nowadays renamed as COSIPLAN) like the main initiative in energy integration in the continent, in a context where the projects are no longer limited to traditional economic blocs. Finally, we note a lack of consensus in defining a comprehensive model of integration and solving asymmetries both within countries and between them.

Mapping the Linguistic Landscape of Historic Tourist Attractions:A Case Study of South Luogu Alley in Beijing

The linguistic landscape of traditional historic tourist attractions has undergone heterogeneous changes under the impact of globalization and tourism development.Guided by the linguistic landscape construction principle and meaning combination analysis,taking the linguistic landscape of South Luogu Al ey in Beijing as the research object,its unique presentation and formation mechanism are analyzed and explicated in this paper.In the first part,we describe the elements of tradition and modernity presented in both private and official linguistic landscape.In the second part,we explain these characteristics,and the results show that:traditional elements dominated with each presents unique characteristics while modern elements especially English have been extensively employed than ever before,functioning as the information disseminator and prestige symbol.Finally,certain degrees of problems need to be meticulously considered so as to foster the renewal progress of the historic tourist attractions.

The State Power Grid Development Ltd Corp. officially established

The establishment of the State Power Grid Development Corp Ltd(SPG) was officially announced on June 18, marking the government’s determination to form a nationwide united power network to make the best of power generating capability. The State-owned corporation, with 2.5 billion yuan ($301 million) worth of operating capital raised by the government, will be responsible for investment. construction and management of the power transmission and substation projects involved in the construction of the Three Gorges Project.

Belt and Road Initiative and Realization of the Right to Development

The Belt and Road Initiative not only represents a new blueprint for realizing the right to development, but also provides a realistic approach and a possible solution for it. With clear goals and paths, the Belt and Road Initiativ e serves as a model for SouthSouth cooperation to promote development. Under the background of China’s economic progress, given China has the strong political will, adequate financial resources, and advanced technology to advance the initiative it will prove to be reliable driver of development. With the joint efforts of China and relevant countries, the Belt and Road Initiative will greatly promote the right to development of countries along the routes.

An empirical investigation of financial development and ecological footprint in South Asia:Bridging the EKC and pollution haven hypotheses

This research explores the dynamic relationships between ecological footprint,economic performance,financial development,energy usage,and foreign direct investment(FDI)in South Asian economies utilizing the panel data from 1971 to 2018.In panel data analysis,conventional methods generally ignore the issues of cross-sectional dependency and the heterogenous nature of cross-sectional units.The other concern with the existing research is that most of the studies ignore the significance of ecological footprint while evaluating financial development and FDI as sources of environmental changes.The longterm relationship among the indicators is tested utilizing the Westerlund cointegration test.The findings support both environmental Kuznets curve and pollution haven hypotheses for South Asian economies.Besides,the empirical findings suggest that financial development increases environmental conservation while energy usage substantially disrupts the environment of the selected south Asian nations.Additionally,the heterogeneous causality analysis reveals the causal relationships between the variables.Thus,overall results recommend that the South Asian economies need to boost economic growth without compromising the environment,decrease fossil fuel usage,enhance financial sector growth and incentivize environmentally friendly FDI to conserve the environment in the region.

Current Development Situations of Ziziphus Jujuba Industry in South Xinjiang and Recommendations

Through surveying current development situations and existing problems of planting and processing of Ziziphus jujuba in south Xinjiang,this paper discussed planting,processing mode of Ziziphus Jujuba in south Xinjiang and development direction of enterprises in Ziziphus Jujuba production. It is expected to ensure and increase quality and sales volume of Ziziphus Jujuba and promote sound and sustainable development of Ziziphus Jujuba industrial chain in south Xinjiang.

COMPARISON OF THE STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DEVELOPED VERSUS UNDEVELOPED MID-LEVEL VORTEXES

Using the NCEP 1°×1°reanalysis data,several obvious differences of the structural characteristics of developed versus undeveloped mid-level vortexes are studied.First,the central vorticity of the developed mid-level vortex increases towards higher levels while the undeveloped one decreases.The low-level convergence structure maintains well in the developed mid-level vortex whereas the undeveloped one does badly.Second,on the one hand,according to the symmetric analysis,the horizontal wind field and wind vertical section of the developed mid-level vortex are well symmetric while those of the undeveloped one are less symmetric.Meanwhile,weak wind vertical shear help the developed mid-level vortex to establish a warm core in upper-and mid-levels of the troposphere.On the other hand,according to the balance analysis,better balance between wind and pressure is shown in the mid-and lower-levels of the troposphere of the developed mid-level vortex than in those of the undeveloped vortex.Third,positive anomaly of potential vorticity is enhanced and developed in the vertical direction of the developed vortex.However,the undeveloped vortex weakens with a weak positive anomaly.

The Belt and Road Initiative and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:seeking linkages for global environmental governance

Global environmental cooperation serves as an important part in the Chinese ideal of building a Community with a Shared Future for all Human Beings. The report of 19 th CPC National Congress indicates that China is committed to proactive mitigation under the Paris Agreement and further participating in global environmental governance under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and both of which are largely integrated to the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI). BRI are also closely linked with South-South environmental and climate cooperation proposed by China from previous UN summits. Based on shared ideas, intersected agendas, and compatible governance approaches, BRI and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development grow increasingly relevant and they might form synergies based on increasingly interactive relations. In sum,seeking and intensifying the linkages between BRI and 2030 sustainable development goals(SDGs) could address global environmental governance deficits and enhance cooperation among nations.

A comparison analysis between developed and undeveloped depressions over the South China Sea

-- In this paper, by using two sets of composite data of developed and undeveloped depressions over the South China Sea, we analyze and compare the dynamic structures, the heating fields and the vorticity budget residuals of two different types of depressions. Our conclusions are as follows:The two types of depressions are similar in thermodynamical and dynamical structures. The main differ ences are : in the high layer of developed depression there is a divergence field, with a center near the zero line of vertical wind shear, and over undeveloped depression, the divergence field is weaker and the vertical wind at its center is greater than 5 m s-1. The thermodynamical field of the former is asymmetrical and that of the latter is quasi - symmetrical. As far as the dynamics structure is concerned, the convergence in the lower layer and the difference of divergence between the upper and lower layers of developed depression is three tmies larger than that of undeveloped depression. The upward motion and heating field at the center of developed depression is also stronger than that of undeveloped one.The vorticity budget of the two types of depressions is mainly determined by the divergence term, the vorticity advection term and the vertical transport term. The residual term is also important.The principal contribution comes from the divergence term . This is more significant for developed depression than for undeveloped depression.