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The Imperially Commissioned Golden Mirror of the Orthodox Lineage of Medicine (Yuzuan yizong jinjian 御纂醫宗金鑑), first printed in 1742, was one of the most important and widely circulating works on medicine in late imperial China. This paper analyzes a group of twenty-three medical manuscripts from the nineteenth and early twentieth century that include parts of the Golden Mirror. The findings suggest that most of the manuscripts should not be considered mere copies, but as deliberate selections. They served didactic as well as epistemic functions that differ from, or go beyond, those that could be fulfilled by the printed Golden Mirror (or a faithful manuscript copy alone). This is indicated not only by different content type selections (verse form for memorization or recitation; prose form for study or consultation) and the combination with medical knowledge from other sources, but also by the ways in which these contents were formatted, usually to facilitate reading and navigation. Adjustment, updating or supplementation of Golden Mirror contents likewise functioned epistemically, integrating previous medical knowledge into the medical discourse of the time. Hence, the findings of the present study help to clarify the lasting importance of manuscripts in the age of print, for which possibilities of adapting knowledge to personal interests and requirements seem to have been decisive factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has emerged as an important norm-shaper in Africa in recent years and can be credited with influencing various policy sectors across the whole continent. Despite the massive impact COVID-19 had on China's presence in Africa and the palpable decrease in financial and technical cooperation in recent years, in the field of policy dissemination China has been and still is one of the most influential external actors on the continent. Numerous ideas and practices from China have found their way into African politics, and China has directly or indirectly (and intentionally or otherwise) affected how Africans see development and the shape and implementation of development practices. This article traces the rise of China as a norm-provider to African elites and compares the impact of two influential policy sets – the development-security nexus and the Belt and Road Initiative – on African policymaking. It analyzes why some policies and ideas travelling from China have reverberated with African leaders and have had a direct impact on the developmental agenda of several countries while other concepts did not take root on the continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooperative breeding system of birds is an ideal model for studying and exploring social evolution in animals. However, a basic question, i.e., how many cooperative-breeding bird species exist in the world, remains controversial due to the lack of accumulated knowledge of the natural history of many birds, which prevents a generalized understanding of the evolution of cooperative breeding in birds and challenges the accuracy of results in many comparative studies. In this paper, we provide the first evidence of cooperative breeding in red-billed blue magpies (Urocissa erythrorhyncha). Moreover, we document and discuss potential relationships between cooperative breeding and nest predation, brood parasitism and breeding performance in U. erythrorhyncha. These findings about cooperative breeding in red-billed blue magpie will lay a foundation for further research on this species' sociality and provide useful insights into the evolution of cooperative breeding and other social systems in birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduced the historical process and internal logic of China's rural land system reform and analyzed the successful experience of land reform in Dongling village. The results show that the long-term stability of land contracting right makes the ownership be virtualized, and the legalization of the land transfer lays the foundation for the diversification of the rural management subjects. The clear property rights enable them to allocate labour and capital freely, obtain economic benefits and then promote the development of rural industries. Land moderate-scale management is a dynamic and differentiated concept. All management subjects can achieve their ideal moderate scale of operation through land circulation. The experience of Dongling village shows that the land transfer should rely on the industry, and the key to the success or failure of the reform is that the industry should be sustainable, the distribution should be reasonable, the management should be scientific, and the supervision should be adequate. Of course, for developing countries, we need to formulate reform plans based on the differences in resource endowment instead of pursuing "fixed models" and "one-size-fits-all policy". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's manufacturing has developed rapidly due to the integration of the global value chain (GVC) production division system. But the early OEM and processing can hardly meet the needs of high-quality development of the manufacturing. The "low-end lock-in" and "double squeeze" faced by China's manufacturing will impede the pace of upgrading the manufacturing. From the perspective of GVC accounting, this paper studies the industrial chain upgrading of China's manufacturing industry through four indicators: GVC participation, GVC division of labor status index, share of foreign value added in domestic exports, and manufacturing 'servitization' index, which from the value chain value added effect at the national level and industrial chain correlation effect at the industrial level, and drawing on the WWYZ method of Wang Zhi et al. (2017) and the input-output method of Leontief (1936). Through the research, it is found that the servitization level of the mid and high-tech industry and high-tech industry of China has been steadily improved, gradually getting rid of the "low-end lock-in" of developed countries and climbing to the high value added production links; Not only do the reindustrialization strategy of developed countries provide the obstacle to the upgrading of the industrial chain and value chain of China's high-tech industry, but also promote domestic talent training and technological innovation. The linkage and integration of the industrial chain of low-tech industry and low and mid-tech industry have been further improved, which plays a favorable role in relevant industry's value chain climbing and industrial chain upgrading. China's manufacturing is progressively improving its own value-added capability and international competitive advantage, further enhancing the two-way integration of the industrial chain, and gradually transitioning to both sides of the "smile curve", to achieve high-quality development of the manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the impact of COVID-19 outbreak and targeted required reserve ratio cut policy on stock returns of Chinese listed companies. This paper uses the data of 3,449 A-share listed companies from February 3, 2020 to December 31, 2020 for research, the empirical results showed that stock prices of private enterprises with stronger debt-paying ability and looser financing constraints, and state-owned enterprises with less supply chain credit risks performed better, in the central and western regions, enterprises with stronger solvency and looser financing constraints have better stock price performance during the early stages of pandemic. After the implementation of the targeted RRR cut policy, the stock prices of enterprises with poor solvency, private enterprises, and enterprises in central and western regions with strong financing constraints, state-owned enterprises, and enterprises in eastern region with high credit risks all showed significant reversals, and the stock prices reflected the effect of the targeted RRR cut policy in the short and medium term. Over time, the pandemic has been controlled, and the resumption of work and production has freed most enterprises from financial difficulties. However, due to sporadic outbreaks, large private enterprises and eastern enterprises with strong risk resistance and loose financing constraints enjoy better stock price performance. This study is helpful for enterprises to understand the value of financial flexibility and solvency and provides a reference for enterprises to make financial decisions: how to balance the benefits and costs of solvency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous lectures targeted at overseas Chinese children have mostly been offline in the form of youth camps sponsored by the Chinese governments before the COVID-19 pandemic and are now usually administered online in a single-topic format transnationally post-pandemic. This form of "one-to-many" singular online lectures comes along with discontinuity, mass audiences, chaos, and being less tailored to the individual needs and context, failing to meet the evaluation metrics in different evaluation levels. This paper proposes a model of transnational online livestreaming serial socio-cultural lectures for overseas Chinese children, which puts forward the synergy of lecturing staff from higher educational institutions (HEIs) in China and students at Chinese language schools (CLSs) worldwide as participants. Lecturing staff from needs and context HEIs can guarantee sufficient keynote speakers for "one-on-one" mode and cope with the above-mentioned problems. After the implementation of five sessions of these serial lectures, evaluation of this model shows that the pre-lecture, during-lecture, and post-lecture stages have are applicable. Furthermore, for sociocultural lectures, the audience may be more interested in literature classics than folk arts from a specific region. Correlation analysis reveals that younger children have a better evaluation of this model and an improved inclination to attend lectures, which sheds light on the improvement of sociocultural lectures as online lectures are preferred among overseas Chinese children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 21st century, the digital economy has developed by leaps and bounds. As a key factor of production in the digital economy era, data plays an important role in China's green transformation. Based on the panel data of 282 prefecture-level cities in China from 2011 to 2019, this paper studies the relationship between data elements and green transformation. The results show that data elements can significantly promote green transformation by improving technical efficiency and achieving technological progress. Based on the above conclusions, all regions should speed up the infrastructure construction of digital economy, train digital talents, reduce resource dependence, improve the green, low-carbon and circular development system, formulate a digital economy development strategy considering local economic development levels, improve resource utilization efficiency and labor productivity, and actively promote green transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since establishing diplomatic relations in October 1949, North Korea and China have forged a complex alliance characterized by both firm solidarity and mutual distrust. This paper analyzes the ups and downs of their alliance relationship by examining the "Northeast Rear Doctrine" (NRD) suggested by Mao Zedong in the early 1960s, which proposed that North Korea could utilize China's Northeast region as its rear base in the event of a war on the Korean Peninsula. Mao's proposal represents the apex of the Sino-North Korean alliance, implying China's temporary concession of its sovereignty over the northeastern territory to North Korea. However, when China and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1992, the NRD policy was virtually abolished, thereby significantly affecting Sino-North Korean relations. First, it exacerbated security threats to North Korea's regime as Northeast China, which once served as Pyongyang's rear base, was transformed into Seoul's outpost for infiltration into North Korea. Second, it deepened North Korea's distrust of China and served as a catalyst for transforming Sino-North Korean relations into normal state-to-state dynamics, rather than the traditional party-to-party relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The People's Republic of China's (PRC) policy toward the Korean Peninsula can be largely characterized as the maintenance of a "stable status quo." This has been a constant feature since the founding of the PRC in 1949. Even when China was extremely radicalized and encouraged revolutions in the Third World in the 1960s, it prevented North Korea from attacking South Korea. However, the reasons behind China's policy choices have varied over time. This paper attempts to highlight the different reasons that led the PRC to maintain the same policy toward the Korean Peninsula during the Cold War. This article takes a historiographical perspective, juxtaposing the Sino-North Korean, Sino-Soviet, and Sino-US relationships, to reveal useful clues for understanding China's policy toward the Korean Peninsula and to elucidate the international political context China's policy exists within. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How and when did domestic donkeys arrive in China? This article sets out to uncover the donkeys' forgotten trail from West Asia across the Iranian plateau to China, using archaeological, art historical, philological, and linguistic evidence. Following Parpola and Janhunen's (2011) contribution to our understanding of the Indian wild ass and Mitchell's (2018) overview of the history of the domestic donkey in West Asia and the Mediterranean, we will attempt to shed light on the transmission of the beast of burden to Eastern Eurasia. Due to its length, the paper is published in two instalments: Part I covers archaeological, art historical and textual evidence for the earliest occurrence and popularization of donkeys in China. Part II (in the fall issue) contains three sections: Two sections explore possible etymologies of ancient zoonyms for donkeys or donkey-like animals in Iranian and Chinese languages respectively. In a final discussion, possible ways of transmission for the donkey from the Iranian plateau to the Chinese heartland are evaluated with regard to the cultural, linguistic, and topographic conditions reflected in the previous parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the implementation of the right to adequate housing in Brazil, China, and Russia, which are part of the BRICS group of countries. The study reveals that while Brazil and Russia have legally recognised the right to housing through domestic law and multinational human rights treaties, China has been less willing to do so. Even when international instruments have been implemented, they have not always successfully ensured state accountability for housing rights violations, and few cases have been brought under individual complaint procedures. This study highlights common housing issues faced by each jurisdiction in the practical implementation of the right to housing, which are similar to those encountered by other countries but are often more severe due to the economic, political, and historical circumstances of the countries under review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper profiles the ten-household settlement of Yangma, a yak-herding community in Taplejung District at the Nepal/China border, under the dual crises of Covid-19 and climate change. As livelihoods here depend entirely upon cross-border livestock trade with China, pandemic mobility restrictions have severed the village's sole income stream. Consequently, Yangma's yak herders have become holders of 'stranded assets': resources that lose value before their anticipated useful life due to market forces or legislation changes. During Covid-19, hundreds of livestock (worth $900 each) have become stranded in Yangma, remaining illiquid despite their significant monetary value. Herd sizes have increased with every breeding season, deepening pressure on limited pasture and fodder resources. Climate change has also caused declines in land and water quality, linked to repeated crop failures, and the further weakening of livestock. The community is poised to sell their herds and migrate once the border reopens. However, if new livestock trade restrictions follow in China's effort to control zoonotic diseases, herders might be prevented from liquidating their assets after borders reopen, becoming 'stranded' in Yangma themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a collaboration between two anthropologists specialising in China and Siberia, an Evenki reindeer herder and co-researcher from Russia and Evenki reindeer herders from China, as well as on fieldwork data gathered separately from the 1990s and collectively in 2014, this paper examines the cross-views of the Evenki from both sides of the Sino-Russian border. Using what we call a 'cross-view methodology', we explore what emerged when this transborder people gather for the first in China after decades of separation. After our methodology, we present the Chinese and Russian Evenki's recent ethnohistory, their specificities, and common features. We then analyse the intellectuals' meetings of the 2000s and the reindeer herders' mutual interests. We explore some cross-views allowed by the pan-Evenki encounters we organised in 2014: the role of Evenki language, human-nature relationships, hunting and reindeer herding, identities, and a real or symbolic 'porosity' of a border. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between Africa and the developed world has been a subject of much discussion over the years. Recently, however, there has been a lot of controversy around China's activities in Africa. Several criticisms have arisen alleging the exploitation of Africa by China. This study set out to examine China's activities on the African continent with a focus on Ghana and Ethiopia to clearly reveal the various sides of the argument and put them into perspective. The study also sought to establish whether a new scramble is occurring in Africa, with neocolonialist strategies. The study relied on the realist theory to understand China's intentions regarding its activities on the continent and on neocolonialism to explore any incidence of a new scramble. Secondary sources were employed to collect data for analysis. The study found that although some of the activities of China on the continent were questionable, they have been partially beneficial to the continent. Africa is not as vulnerable as perceived but has the capacity to leverage some of its resources to foster its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article pays tribute to Nathan Sivin, a scholar of Chinese science, medicine, and religion. Sivin challenged mainstream views and emphasized the need for historical context and evidence-based research in the study of Chinese history. He believed in a more nuanced understanding of Chinese traditions and collaborated with Joseph Needham on the Science and Civilisation in China project. Sivin's work aimed to complicate and expand the understanding of Chinese knowledge and practices in their historical and cultural contexts. The article also discusses Sivin's interests in seal carving, his collection of Chinese and Japanese scrolls, and his extensive library, which is now preserved at the University Archives of the University of Pennsylvania. [Extracted from the article]

The publication of The Cambridge History of Chinese Literature in 2010 stands as a significant achievement in the field of Chinese literary studies within the global field of Sinology. This groundbreaking work challenged the prevailing narratives of Chinese literary history in two key areas: writing style and perspectives of literary history. By employing updated methodologies, the authors addressed the practical question of how to effectively rewrite Chinese literary history. Additionally, they relied on historiographic principles to reconsider the theoretical issues surrounding the nature of Chinese literary history and the reasons behind its rewriting. Through a comprehensive investigation, this literary history offers a theoretical response to the question of what Chinese literary history truly entails. It sheds light on two fundamental compilation principles: the history of history and the history of literary culture. These principles revolve around the three core elements of history, literature, and China itself. By examining the book's interactions with the mainstream Western theoretical community, insight may be gained into the motivations behind the writing process and the paradigmatic shifts within contemporary overseas Chinese literary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]