DOCSLIB.ORG

1 China Interior Regions Telecommunications Network

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1 China Interior Regions Telecommunications Network China Interior Regions Telecommunications Network Expansion Project External Evaluator: Yuko Kishino Field Survey: October 2004 1. Project Profile and Japan’s ODA Loan Mongolia Inner Mongolia 内蒙古自治区Autonomous Region 新疆ウィグル自治区Xinjiang Uygur North Korea Autonomous Region Beijing 青海省Qinghai 寧夏回族自治区Ningxia Huizu Province Autonomous Region South Korea China 甘粛省Gansu Province Shanghai Bhutan Bangladesh Guizuhou貴州省 Province Taiwan Myanmar Hong Kong Vietnam Macao Projectプロジェクトサイト site Earth station in Xinjiang Uygur Project site location map Autonomous Region 1.1 Background Since China adopted the reform and open-up policies in 1978, development and improvement of infrastructure in various fields have been implemented in order to facilitate the transition from a planned economy system to a socialist market economy. In the field of telecommunications, based on the idea that it is essential to collect accurate economic information and establish a system of utilizing such information, construction of communication facilities was included in priority policies of the Eighth 5-Year Plan (1991-1995), and the telecommunication capacity has been remarkably improved by digitization. On the other hand, the telephone density1 in urban areas in china was only 3.1 as of the end of 1992, and communication facilities were still insufficient. Also, there was a large gap in telephone density between the eastern urban area experiencing rapid economic growth and the western urban area, in which telephone densities were 4.1 and 2.3, respectively. 1.2 Objectives The project’s objective was to improve the poor communication condition and cope with the expected increase in demand in the future by expanding and modernizing local telephone communication networks in 6 provinces and autonomous regions in the interior regions of China, and thereby contribute to the promotion of economic development through the improvement of the investment environment. 1 The number of telephone per 100 persons 1 1.3 Borrower / Executing Agency Government of People’s Republic of China / Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (at appraisal), Ministry of Information Industry (at evaluation) 1.4 Outline of Loan Agreement Loan Amount / Disbursed Amount 15,003 million yen / 13,482 million yen Exchange of Notes / Loan Agreement December 1996 / December 1996 Terms and Conditions - Interest Rate 2.3% - Repayment Period (Grace Period) 30 years (10 years) - Procurement General untied Final Disbursement Date June 2002 Contractors Beijing International Switching System (Civil Works and Equipment) Corporation Ltd.(China) Consultants - Feasibility Study (F/S), etc. Chinese Government (1996) 2. Results and Evaluation 2.1 Relevance In China’s Ninth 5-Year Plan (1996-2000), communication networks were mentioned as important infrastructure. In particular, expansion of telephone networks in the interior regions as a measure to promote the development of regional economy and reduce the disparity between these regions and the coastal regions was one of the priority objectives of the plan. This project was intended to improve communication conditions in the interior 6 provinces and autonomous regions, which were particularly underdeveloped in China, and therefore was highly important for regional economic activities in the regions. Thus, the relevance of the project at the time of appraisal is fine. Modernization of the information infrastructure including the establishment of communication networks is also an important policy of the Tenth 5-Year Plan (2001-2005), and establishment of communication networks in the interior regions remains an important issue to be tackled in order to reduce regional disparity. In the China Western Development Plan (2001-2010), construction of infrastructure in 12 provinces2and autonomous regions including the 6 covered by this project is listed among priority projects. The strategy contains the 2 Gansu Province, Shaanxi Province, Qinghai Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ningxia Huizu Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, Guizhou Province, Tibet Autonomous Region, Chongqing City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region 2 objectives of improving trunk transmission networks such as fiber optic and micro transmission lines and the satellite communication system, as well as constructing a fixed telephone network in the target provinces and autonomous regions. This project is consistent with these objectives and therefore remains relevant today. 2.2 Efficiency 2.2.1 Output This project was to increase the capacity of local switches and construct intra-provincial transmission lines in 6 particularly underdeveloped provinces and autonomous regions in China: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, Ningxia Huizu Autonomous Region, Guizhou Province, and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Fig.1). The ODA Loan covered the entire foreign currency portion listed below. Fig. 1 Six Provinces and Autonomous Regions in Interior China Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Ningxia Huizu Autonomous Region Gansu Province Qinghai Province Guizhou Province Table 1 Comparison of Output (Plan/Actual) Province / Plan Actual Autonomous Region ① Local switches: ① As planned 510,000 circuits ② Xinjiang Uygur Satellite communication ② As planned Autonomous Region network: construction of 3 earth stations and installation of additional equipment at 5 existing earth stations 3 ① Local switches: ① Mostly as planned 140,000 circuits ② Fiber optic cable ② - ④ Fiber optic cable transmission lines: 13 sets transmission lines: 26 sets of of STM1)-1 equipment, 4 sets STM-1 equipment, 51 sets of of STM-4 equipment STM-4 equipment (total length: 1,051.35km) (total length: 4,926km) ③ Microwave transmission lines (in urban areas) Gansu Province 24 sets of STM-1 equipment (total length: 463.8km) ④ Fiber optic cable transmission lines or Microwave transmission lines (local lines in rural areas): 235 sets of STM-1 equipment and 20 sets of PDH2)34Mb/s equipment ① Local switches: ① Local switches: 100,000 circuits 123,000 circuits ② Fiber optic cable ② Fiber optic cable Qinghai Province transmission lines: 42 sets of transmission lines: 49 sets STM-1 equipment of STM-4 equipment (total length: 2,445km) (total length: 2,326km) ③ Subscriber circuits: 3,800km ③ Subscriber circuits: 3,109km ① Local switches: ① As planned 310,000 circuits Ningxia Huizu ② ② As planned Autonomous Region Fiber optic cable transmission lines: 13 sets of STM-4 equipment Guizhou Province Local switches: 330,000 circuits As planned ① Local switches: ① Local switches: As planned 100,500 circuits ② Fiber optic cable ② Fiber optic cable transmission lines: 80 sets of transmission lines: 40 sets Inner Mongolia PDH34Mb/s equipment of PDH34Mb/s equipment Autonomous Region (total length: 2,000km) (total length: 2,000km) ③ No. 7 type command ③ No. 7 type command network3): LSTP4) equipment network: LSTP equipment at 11 locations at 5 locations Note 1) STM stands for Synchronous Transport Module, an international standard of transmission mode classified by transmission capacity. STM-1 has a capacity of 155Mb/s（worth approximately 2,000 circuits） and STM-4 has 4 times the capacity of STM-1. Note 2) PDH stands for Pre Synchronous Digital Hierarchy, the existing transmission mode. Note 3) A common signal mode that transmits information for the control and connection of circuits within the network of communication service providers. It allocates optimum capacity to the exchange of service management information so as to make the most of the capacity of the transmission line. Note 4) LSTP stands for Local Signal Transfer Point, the station that exchanges or relays signal messages in the No.7 type command network. 4 The planned output was achieved in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ningxia Huizu Autonomous Region, and Guizhou Province. In 3 other provinces and autonomous regions, some changes were made to the plan at the appraisal time such as the increase in the number of local switches and changes in the length of transmission lines and transmission modes (see the shaded columns of Table 1). In Gansu Province, it was planned to construct fiber optic cable transmission lines in limited areas and microwave transmission lines in the remaining areas due to budget restrictions. However, at the stage of basic design after appraisal it turned out to be possible to construct fiber optic cable transmission lines in the entire target region, and the plan was changed. Also, with the change of the main transmission mode from PDH to SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy), a high-speed digital system with a huge capacity, planned introduction of PDH in rural areas were cancelled, and SDH was introduced in all areas with a view to enhancing reliability and quality of communication services. In Qinghai Province, the length of fiber optic cable transmission lines and subscriber circuits was shortened based on the result of the up-to-date demand survey in prefecture-level city and prefectures in the province, and the saved funds were used to increase the highly needed local switches. As a result, the capacity of local switches was increased by 23,000 circuits, and the length of fiber optic cable transmission lines and subscriber circuits was respectively reduced by 119km and 691km from the original plan. In Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as the signing of L/A took place much later than expected, 40 sets of PDH34Mb/s equipment for fiber optic cable transmission
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Development for Tibetans, but by Whom?
    Consilience: The Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 5, Iss. 1 (2011), Pp. 168-175 Development For Tibetans, But By Whom? Diana Jue Department of Urban Studies and Planning, International Development Group Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA [email protected] Keywords: Tibet, China, development, design. 1. Introduction: Tibetans in China In addition to the Han majority, the People‟s Republic of China officially recognizes 55 ethnic minority groups within its borders. The degree to which minorities have been incorporated into the national mainstream community varies widely from group to group, with some demonstrating considerable resentment against the ethnic majority. Most notable are the Turkic Muslim Uyghurs, who made international headlines in July 2009 for the Urumqi riots; the Hui in Hunan province, where unrest broke out in 2004; and, of course, the Tibetans, whose high-profile protests were in to the spotlight in the months preceding the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. The Tibet-China conflict is one of the most polarized disputes in which China is currently embroiled. At the core of this debate is Tibet‟s status as either an autonomous region of the People‟s Republic of China or an independent country. The Chinese leadership is staunchly against the “legitimate and meaningful autonomy” demanded by the Dalai Lama (BBC News, 2009); the Dalai Lama has also been labeled as a “separatist” by China‟s president Hu Jintao but maintains that he does not want to separate Tibet from China (Mazumdar 2010). Additionally, discontent among Tibetans is not limited to those residing in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).
    [Show full text]
  • Origin and Character of Loesslike Silt in the Southern Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau, China
    Origin and Character of Loesslike Silt in the Southern Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau, China U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1549 Cover. View south-southeast across Lhasa He (Lhasa River) flood plain from roof of Potala Pal­ ace, Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region, China. The Potala (see frontispiece), characteristic sym­ bol of Tibet, nses 308 m above the valley floor on a bedrock hill and provides an excellent view of Mt. Guokalariju, 5,603 m elevation, and adjacent mountains 15 km to the southeast These mountains of flysch-like Triassic clastic and volcanic rocks and some Mesozoic granite character­ ize the southernmost part of Northern Xizang Structural Region (Gangdese-Nyainqentanglha Tec­ tonic Zone), which lies just north of the Yarlung Zangbo east-west tectonic suture 50 km to the south (see figs. 2, 3). Mountains are part of the Gangdese Island Arc at south margin of Lhasa continental block. Light-tan areas on flanks of mountains adjacent to almost vegetation-free flood plain are modern and ancient climbing sand dunes that exhibit evidence of strong winds. From flood plain of Lhasa He, and from flood plain of much larger Yarlung Zangbo to the south (see figs. 2, 3, 13), large dust storms and sand storms originate today and are common in capitol city of Lhasa. Blowing silt from larger braided flood plains in Pleistocene time was source of much loesslike silt described in this report. Photograph PK 23,763 by Troy L. P6w6, June 4, 1980. ORIGIN AND CHARACTER OF LOESSLIKE SILT IN THE SOUTHERN QINGHAI-XIZANG (TIBET) PLATEAU, CHINA Frontispiece.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 International Religious Freedom Report
    CHINA (INCLUDES TIBET, XINJIANG, HONG KONG, AND MACAU) 2019 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT Executive Summary Reports on Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet, and Xinjiang are appended at the end of this report. The constitution, which cites the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, states that citizens have freedom of religious belief but limits protections for religious practice to “normal religious activities” and does not define “normal.” Despite Chairman Xi Jinping’s decree that all members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) must be “unyielding Marxist atheists,” the government continued to exercise control over religion and restrict the activities and personal freedom of religious adherents that it perceived as threatening state or CCP interests, according to religious groups, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international media reports. The government recognizes five official religions – Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism. Only religious groups belonging to the five state- sanctioned “patriotic religious associations” representing these religions are permitted to register with the government and officially permitted to hold worship services. There continued to be reports of deaths in custody and that the government tortured, physically abused, arrested, detained, sentenced to prison, subjected to forced indoctrination in CCP ideology, or harassed adherents of both registered and unregistered religious groups for activities related to their religious beliefs and practices. There were several reports of individuals committing suicide in detention, or, according to sources, as a result of being threatened and surveilled. In December Pastor Wang Yi was tried in secret and sentenced to nine years in prison by a court in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in connection to his peaceful advocacy for religious freedom.
    [Show full text]
  • Religion in China BKGA 85 Religion Inchina and Bernhard Scheid Edited by Max Deeg Major Concepts and Minority Positions MAX DEEG, BERNHARD SCHEID (EDS.)
    Religions of foreign origin have shaped Chinese cultural history much stronger than generally assumed and continue to have impact on Chinese society in varying regional degrees. The essays collected in the present volume put a special emphasis on these “foreign” and less familiar aspects of Chinese religion. Apart from an introductory article on Daoism (the BKGA 85 BKGA Religion in China proto­typical autochthonous religion of China), the volume reflects China’s encounter with religions of the so-called Western Regions, starting from the adoption of Indian Buddhism to early settlements of religious minorities from the Near East (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) and the early modern debates between Confucians and Christian missionaries. Contemporary Major Concepts and religious minorities, their specific social problems, and their regional diversities are discussed in the cases of Abrahamitic traditions in China. The volume therefore contributes to our understanding of most recent and Minority Positions potentially violent religio-political phenomena such as, for instance, Islamist movements in the People’s Republic of China. Religion in China Religion ∙ Max DEEG is Professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Cardiff. His research interests include in particular Buddhist narratives and their roles for the construction of identity in premodern Buddhist communities. Bernhard SCHEID is a senior research fellow at the Austrian Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on the history of Japanese religions and the interaction of Buddhism with local religions, in particular with Japanese Shintō. Max Deeg, Bernhard Scheid (eds.) Deeg, Max Bernhard ISBN 978-3-7001-7759-3 Edited by Max Deeg and Bernhard Scheid Printed and bound in the EU SBph 862 MAX DEEG, BERNHARD SCHEID (EDS.) RELIGION IN CHINA: MAJOR CONCEPTS AND MINORITY POSITIONS ÖSTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN PHILOSOPHISCH-HISTORISCHE KLASSE SITZUNGSBERICHTE, 862.
    [Show full text]
  • Growth and Decline of Muslim Hui Enclaves in Beijing
    EG1402.fm Page 104 Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:59 PM Growth and Decline of Muslim Hui Enclaves in Beijing Wenfei Wang, Shangyi Zhou, and C. Cindy Fan1 Abstract: The Hui people are a distinct ethnic group in China in terms of their diet and Islamic religion. In this paper, we examine the divergent residential and economic develop- ment of Niujie and Madian, two Hui enclaves in the city of Beijing. Our analysis is based on archival and historical materials, census data, and information collected from recent field work. We show that in addition to social perspectives, geographic factors—location relative to the northward urban expansion of Beijing, and the character of urban administrative geog- raphy in China—are important for understanding the evolution of ethnic enclaves. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O10, I31, J15. 3 figures, 2 tables, 60 refer- ences. INTRODUCTION esearch on ethnic enclaves has focused on their residential and economic functions and Ron the social explanations for their existence and persistence. Most studies do not address the role of geography or the evolution of ethnic enclaves, including their decline. In this paper, we examine Niujie and Madian, two Muslim Hui enclaves in Beijing, their his- tory, and recent divergent paths of development. While Niujie continues to thrive as a major residential area of the Hui people in Beijing and as a prominent supplier of Hui foods and services for the entire city, both the Islamic character and the proportion of Hui residents in Madian have declined. We argue that Madian’s location with respect to recent urban expan- sion in Beijing and the administrative geography of the area have contributed to the enclave’s decline.
    [Show full text]
  • Sichuan/Gansu/Qinghai/Tibet (14 Days) We Love Road Journeys
    Tibetan Highlands: Sichuan/Gansu/Qinghai/Tibet (14 Days) We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Lao, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much… p2 p3 Itinerary Map …where you will travel… p. 006 Yes, it is possible… p. 008 Journey of Discovery… p. 010 Day-by-day… p. 056 In closing... Any car you like, so long as it is an SUV… p. 077 Adventures and discoveries in local cuisines p. 078 What’s included/Best Months to Go... p. 080 Photo credits p. 083 p5 Itinerary Map Day1 Day8 Arrival in Chengdu – Dulan to Golmud – Apply for your temporary driving Across the Qaidam Basin to Golmud license and visit Chengdu’s beautiful Panda Reserve Day9 Golmud to Tuotuohe – Day2 Up, up, up - Onto the Plateau and Chengdu to Maerkang – into the highlands of Qinghai Through the valleys to the Gyarong Tibetan region Day10 Tuotuohe to Naqu – Day3 Cross the famous Tanggula Pass on Maerkang to Ruoergai – your way to Tibet itself Towards the very north of Sichuan on the way to Gansu Day11 Naqu to Damxung – Day4 Visit one of Tibet’s holiest lakes, Ruoergai to Xiahe – Lake Nam-tso Your first and only stop in Gansu province Day12 Damxung to Lhasa – Day5 Complete your journey with Xiahe to Qinghai’s capital, Xining – a beautiful drive to your final On your way to Qinghai destination Day6 Day13 Xining – In and around Lhasa – Spend a day in and around Xining for Visit Potala Palace and explore the a bit of rest and visit the spectacular old city of Lhasa Ta’er Monastery Day14 Day7 Depart from Lhasa – Xining to Dulan – Lift must go on...Farewell Lhasa On the way to Golmud..
    [Show full text]
  • Qinghai Information
    Qinghai Information Overview Qinghai is located in northwestern China. The capital and largest city, Xining, lies roughly 50 miles (80 km) from the western border and approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of the Yellow River (Huang He). It is the nation’s 4th largest province with almost 279,000 square miles (more accurately 721,000 sq km). However, the total population places 30th in the country with only 5,390,000 people. The province earns its name from the salt lake Qinghai, located in the province’s northeast less than 100 miles (161 km) west of Xining. Qinghai Lake is the largest lake in China, the word literally meaning “blue sea”. Qinghai Geography Qinghai province is located on the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau of western China. The Altun Mountains run along the northwestern horizontal border with Xinjiang while the Hoh Xil Mountains run horizontally over the vertical portion of that border. The Qilian Mountains run along the northeastern border with Gansu. The Kunlun Mountains follow the horizontal border between Tibet (Xizang) and Xinjiang. The Kunlun Mountains gently slope southward as the move to central Qinghai where they are extended eastward by the Bayan Har Mountains. The Dangla Mountains start in Tibet south of the Kunlun Mountains to which they run parallel. The Ningjing Mountains start in the south of Qinghai and move southward into Tibet then Yunnan. The famous Yellow River commences in this Qinghai China. A small river flows from the west into Gyaring Lake where a small outlet carries water eastward to Ngoring Lake. The Yellow River then starts on the east side of Ngoring Lake.
    [Show full text]
  • Compulsory Resettlement
    H U M A N “They Say We Should R I G H T S Be Grateful” WATCH Mass Rehousing and Relocation Programs in Tibetan Areas of China Summary and Key Recommendations Human Rights Watch | June 2013 Today I am living in new house with a comfortable life. I am so happy. All of my fortunes do not come from my prayers, but rather from the Communist Party. —Dekyi, China’s Tibet Magazine, March 2009 People in the village are desperate about abandoning their homes and having to resettle. They don’t have any other skills than farming, and won’t have any herds or land worth speaking of anymore. How is the next generation going to survive as Tibetans? —Human Rights Watch interviewee from Gyama (Jiama), Tibet Autonomous Region, July 2012 “They Say We Should Be Grateful” Mass Rehousing and Relocation Programs in Tibetan Areas of China Local residents walk past a row of newly built houses at Jiangcun Village in Chushur (Qushui) County, Tibet Autonomous Region, January 2006. © 2006 Associated Press Since 2006, the Chinese government has implemented large-scale programs to “rehouse”—through renovation of existing houses or construction of new ones—a majority of the rural population of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) under a policy called “Comfortable Housing.” In parallel, the government has accelerated the relocation and sedentarization of nomadic herders in the eastern part of the Tibetan plateau, mostly in Qinghai province, and laid the ground for similar policies in other parts of the plateau. Both policies are a component of the government’s effort to “Build a New Socialist Countryside” in Tibetan areas, which the government says is designed to rapidly increase the living standards of rural Tibetans and boost the local economy.
    [Show full text]
  • A Journey Qinghai-Sichuan 4,500 Km June 2013 – Illusion in Mekong Headwaters and Enchantments in Highlands –
    ● JAPANESE ALPINE NEWS 2014 TAMOTSU (TOM) NAKAMURA A Journey Qinghai-Sichuan 4,500 km June 2013 – Illusion in Mekong Headwaters and Enchantments in Highlands – I returned home on June 26, 2013, from 3 weeks 4,500 km journey through eastern Tibet: West Sichuan-Qinghai. Unfortunately the first objective to explore hidden and untrodden peaks and glaciers in the remotest Mekong River headwaters was not attained, since a horse caravan could not be organized because almost all nomads had gone out for digging caterpillar fungus. In spite of my Tibetan guide Awang's two days efforts to find nomads to help us at the 4,700 – 4,800m high headwaters, we had to give up gathering horses and horse keepers. Nevertheless, an outcome of the journey was of enough and abundant harvests. 1. Chola Shan East massif, Sichuan (future climbing field) 2. Rock peaks in upper Mekong near Zadoi, Qinghai (future climbing field) 3. The Mekong River source and headwaters, Qinghai 4. The source and headwaters of the Yellow River, Qinghai 5. Amnye Machen massif, North and East face, Qinghai 6. Breathtaking rock peaks range of Nyainbo Yuze, Qinghai 7. Serthar (Seda) Buddhists Institute (largest academy in China), Sichuan 118 JOURNEYS AND EXPLORATIONS ● Members and Itinerary 4,500 km An elderly pair, Tom Nakamura (78) and Tadao Shintani (69) were the same members as before. A capable Tibetan guide (good English speaking) Awang (36), a Tibetan cook (43),Tshering, two Han drivers, You hong wei (45) and Zhang qi juu (40) joined us. Two Mitsubishi Pajero were used. June 7: Cloudy, Lv.
    [Show full text]
  • Discussion Guide About This Guide
    Discussion Guide About this Guide This guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the filmValley of the Heroes. It contains background information about the film and its subject matter, discussion questions, and additional resources. It has been written with classroom and community settings in mind, but can be used by anybody who would like to facilitate a screening and discussion about the film. Table of Contents Filmmaker Statement 3 Context for the Film 4 Disambiguation: What is Tibet? 5 Geography 6 A Brief History of Hualong (Dpa’Lung) 7 Qinghai Nationalities University Local Education Aid Group (LEAG) 8 Discussion Questions and Activities 9 Recommended Resources 10 Right Turning Conch Shell - a Tibetan auspicious Film Purchase Information 11 symbol associated with heroism. 2 Filmmaker Statement by Khashem Gyal “When no one listens, no one tells, and when no one tells, no one learns, and thus when the elders die, so do the traditions and language.” This old Tibetan proverb sadly captures the current situation of Tibetan oral (LEAG). In my first class, I started teaching a Tibetan subject, and realized that traditions and language. Each year sees the passing of precious aged people, and three quarters of the students were unable to understand Tibetan at all. The other there is a decline in the number of children who speak Tibetan and understand teachers and I had collected Tibetan folklore, riddles, songs, and dance to teach their culture. to the students. They were interested, but much of the time we had to explain in Chinese. Tibetan civilization is characterized by a very strong oral and popular culture, combined with a sophisticated intellectual, religious, and philosophical literary We wanted to have a good relationship with the community, so we decided to visit production.
    [Show full text]
  • Sichuan Inner Mongolia Guizhou Xinjiang Qinghai
    INNER MONGOLIA CHINA Pacific Ocean GANSU Lanzhou Tibetan ethnolinguistic areas Xining 0 500 km 0 300 miles QINGHAI Golmo Chongqing AMDO Chengdu XINJIANG Jyekundo KHAM SICHUAN Tachienlu Derge GUIZHOU (unpopulated) Lithang Chamdo AKSAI TIBET Nagchu CHIN AUTONOMOUS Gyamda REGION Kunming Rutog Lhasa JAMMU & KASHMIR Nyemo YUNNAN Ü-TSANG Shigatse VIETNAM BHUTAN Yatung INDIA INDIA NEPAL MYANMAR LAOS tsering shakya BLOOD IN THE SNOWS Reply to Wang Lixiong he starting point of Wang Lixiong’s ‘Reflections on Tibet’ is the proposition that the Tibetan people have been active Tparticipants in the destruction of their own culture.1 The logic of the argument is one often employed by those responsible for injustice—that is, to heap the blame on the victim. It is reminiscent of the view once advanced by apologists for the apartheid regime in South Africa: since blacks made up the majority of the police force, and since hundreds of thousands of black people flocked from neighbour- ing countries to work in South Africa’s dust-choked mines, the system could not be as bad as its critics supposed. But colonialism and injustice are never consensual: they are always achieved through the use of force, and perpetuated through the brutalization and degradation of the native people. It was, after all, Mao who announced that political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. It is true that Tibetans played an active part in the Cultural Revolution, and this fact cannot be wiped out of history. It should, however, be put into proper perspective, and the actual nature of their participation sub- jected to examination.
    [Show full text]
  • Lay of the Land I
    Laojunshan National Park. Photo by Xu Jian PART 1: LAY OF THE LAND I. Biodiversity This part of the book provides context for land protection efforts in China aimed at protecting biodiversity. Chapter I, Biodiversity, provides an overview of the country’s wealth of species and ecosystem values. Because ample existing literature thoroughly documents China’s biodiversity resources, this chapter does not delve into great detail. Rather, it provides a brief overview of species diversity, and then describes the locations, types, and conservation issues associated with each major ecosystem. Chapter II, Land Use, identifies the locations and trends in land use across the country, such as urbanization, livestock grazing, forest uses, and energy development, which can affect multiple ecosystems. Not surprisingly, China’s flora and fauna are experiencing ever- increasing impacts as a result of China’s unprecedented economic growth and exploding demand for natural resources. Thus, new and strengthened land protection efforts are required to ensure the persistence of China’s rich biodiversity heritage (see Part 3, Land Protection in Practice). A. Species Diversity Terrestrial biodiversity in China is among the highest in the world, and research and inventories of the distribution and status of the country’s biodiversity are fairly comprehensive. China is home to 15% of the world’s vertebrate species including wildlife such as the Yunnan golden monkey, black-necked crane, and the iconic giant panda. China also accounts for 12% of all plant species in the world, ranked third in the world for plant diversity with 30,000 species (Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1992) (Li et al., 2003).
    [Show full text]