Search

Background: This paper seeks to assess the sustainability of the reformed maternity insurance system and the extent to which China's current maternity insurance system can support different levels of fertility incentives in the future. Our findings will serve as a reference for countries in a similar demographic predicament and those about to face it. Methods: This study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. In the qualitative assessment, we used a grounded theory model to generalize the factors influencing the sustainability of maternity insurance funds. For the quantitative analysis, we used a novel and comprehensive system dynamics model to visualize the status of the combined operation of maternity and health insurance. Data are mainly derived from the historical data of the Statistical Yearbook of Jiangsu Province and the National Bureau of Statistics of China. Results: In the short term, fertility incentive payments can be set to motivate people to have children. It is therefore recommended that when the scope of the fertility incentive policy is limited to two children, and an average amount above RMB 10 000 could be set, it would be prudent to set the amount at a level not exceeding RMB 10 000 when the scope of the fertility incentive policy is for all newborns. In the long term, a system of incentives for childbirth should be built from education policy, house price regulation, tax relief and childcare services. Conclusion: Our research not only highlights the significance of improving the resilience of maternity insurance by combining maternity insurance and health insurance funds, but also suggests a way to economically incentivize beneficiaries to have children so as to mitigate the decline in China's birth rate and cope with the crisis of an ageing population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture faces a contradiction between sustainable resource utilization and maintaining market competitiveness. As a major agricultural product, the sustainability and competitiveness of the apple industry have become important topics. This study analyzes the competitiveness of China's apple industry and the factors affecting it. Using 2004 and 2018 data for eight Chinese provinces, principal component analysis and spatial autocorrelation are used to examine competitiveness in terms of five aspects: market, production, technology, organization, and environment. The results indicate that Shandong, Shaanxi, and Gansu were the most competitive during the study period while Hebei, Henan, and Ningxia lagged behind. Regional differences are obvious, with Shandong in particular showing a clear competitive advantage. Although no spatial agglomeration is observed in China's apple industry, with ongoing industrial development, local spatial correlations in the five aspects of competitiveness in the eight provinces have been increasing and gradually stabilizing. This study's findings suggest that improved scientific production, reasonable capital investment, and an established industrial chain are needed to promote local agriculture, economic development, and the central role of the apple industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The decoupling state in the upstream reaches has deteriorated. • The decoupling state in the mid and downstream reaches was in a stable weak decoupling state. China's economic development is gradually transforming from an extensive expansion mode to a green development mode that pursues environmental quality and environmental benefits. To achieve economic growth and reduce environmental pollution at the same time is the essence of decoupling. This paper combines the Tapio decoupling model and the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) model to analyze the decoupling performance and driving factors of economic output and water environment pressure of provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2004 to 2018. The results show that the overall water environment pressure and economic growth of the Yangtze River Economic Belt have shown a positive trend (from weak decoupling to strong decoupling). Strong decoupling areas were identified in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Chongqing), the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (Jiangxi, Hubei, and Hunan), and the lower reaches (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui). When compared with decoupling in the middle and lower reaches, the decoupling state of the upper reaches is unstable and tends to deteriorate. The driving factors of water environment pressure indicate that population size and urbanization are the main factors influencing wastewater discharge. The direction and size of the industrial structures are affected by policies and markets. Then, economic growth, fixed asset investment, and trade openness have had a positive impact on wastewater discharge. Technological progress and environmental regulations are important factors in controlling wastewater discharge. However, their current effect on wastewater discharge is not ideal. Therefore, while controlling the reasonable flow of population, each region should carry out industrial optimization and technological upgrading, and increase the management, capital, and technical support for the underdeveloped provinces of the Yangtze Economic Belt. This is necessary to achieve green economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The driving factors of human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) were quantitatively assessed. • Eight indicators were introduced to specifically evaluate the impact of human and climate factors on HANPP. • The effect of climate change and human activities to the change of HANPP accounted for 73.2% and 26.8%, respectively. The combined effects of climate change and human activities pose threat to the sustainable development of ecosystems. Human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) has been extensively used as an important indicator for evaluating the sustainable development of the ecosystem. However, few studies quantitatively assessed the driving factors of HANPP. Based on Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, methods of net primary production (NPP) model and regression analysis, the spatial and temporal distribution of HANPP and its driving factors in the Qilian Mountains from 2005 to 2015 were illustrated. The results showed that the HANPP in the Qilian Mountains decreased gradually from both east to west and from south to north, showing a slight upward overall. The regions affected by human activities and climate change accounted for 26.8% and 73.2% respectively. Moreover, there was a significant negative impact between grain yield and HANPP, and a significant positive impact of either the annual sunshine duration, or livestock amount to HANPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]