The particularities and major problems of minority regions in the middle and western parts of China and their developmental strategy

Abstract

"China is a country that has a large number of minorities, who live in specific regions which are mainly located in Middle and West China. They are abundant in natural resources and are of general importance for China in strategic and ecological terms. Minorities live in relatively compact communities. Here the development in infrastructure as well as social and economic development (e.g. export-oriented economy) has been and is still slow, which has resulted in underdevelopment. To accelerate the development of these regions, priority has to be given to narrow the gap of social development, to protect the natural environment and to strengthen the facilities of infrastructure. In order to avoid conflicts in the future, specific policies in minority regions are needed." (author's abstract)

China ist ein Land mit einer großen Anzahl ethnischer Minderheiten, die vor allem in Mittel- und Westchina leben. Diese Gebiete sind für China wegen ihres Ressourcenreichtums sowie in strategischer und ökologischer Hinsicht von hoher Bedeutung. Minderheiten leben in relativ kompakten Gemeinschaften. Die Infrastrukturentwicklung sowie die soziale und wirtschaftliche Entwicklung (z.B. Exportorientierung) verlaufen hier immer noch langsam, was in diesen Regionen zu einer Unterentwicklung geführt hat. Um die Entwicklung in diesen Regionen zu beschleunigen, müssen die sozialen Entwicklungsunterschiede verringert, die natürliche Umwelt geschützt und die Infrastruktureinrichtungen verbessert werden. Sollen zukünftige Konflikte vermieden werden, bedarf es in den von Minderheiten bewohnten Regionen besonderer politischer Maßnahmen. (ICEÜbers)

Contents: 1 Introduction; 2 Characteristics and importance of the minority regions in the middle and western parts of China; (1) The regions are located in the sources of major rivers and are important ecological barriers; (2) The regions are vast in area and abundant in natural resources; (3) Minorities live in relatively compact communities, with a high percentage of Han majority; (4) The regions are characterized by slow social and economic development, but agriculture has comparative advantages; 3 Major problems facing minority regions in the middle and western parts of China; (1) Inaccessibility and relatively backward infrastructure; (2) Rapid growth of population and relatively backward social development; (3) High degree of poverty, economic mono-structure; (4) Export-oriented economy develops slowly; 4 Strategic options for accelerating development; (1) Promote economic and social development, narrow the gaps between the nationalities regions and the rest of China, safeguard social stability; (2) protect the ecological environment of the minority regions in the middle and western parts of China and follow the path of sustainable development; (3) Strengthen the construction of infrastructure facilities; (4) Introduce preferential policies toward minority regions; (5) Attempt to avoid possible conflicts in minority regions.