Name: Fan Xiao Lin  Student ID: B08026

Research paper supervisor:Dr.Sekou Conde

School of Economics    Minzu University of China

2008-2009 Academic Year

 

 

Abstract

The economic development in ethnic minority areas must have a suitable model of development that is a result of the scientific concept of development carried out under the guidance of. Ethnic minority areas as a result of historical reasons and practical constraints, the formation of large mixed various ethnic minorities, the geographical pattern of small settlements, ethnic minority areas in the process of regional economic development, it shows awareness of different cultures into different economic concepts and value judgments. The establishment of ethnic minorities in the development mode, not simply the pursuit of economic growth and efficiency of economic development, we must pursue a comprehensive economic and social development, that is, the nation must be under the guidance of scientific development concept, in the pursuit of economic development, accelerate the achievement of national between regional and national economic and social harmonious development.

Keywords

 Ethnic minority   development   model of economic development

Introduction

 The concept of minority economic is based on a particular minority ethnic group as the main body of ethnic minorities, have a common history, common features, common interests relationship [1].The formation and development of ethnic group economy is based, no ethnic group has its own internal economic ties and common economic life, at the same time, between different ethnic groups have taken place in economic exchanges between each other that there is a mutual influence of the economic relations. Internal of Ethnic group and external ties of ethnic group economic, or contacts of such relations is not only the basis of the ethnic group economy, but also all ethnic group survival and development. Ethnic group l economic development is the basis of the rise and fall of the ethnic group; how to promote ethnic group economic development and prosperity of a ethnic group to ensure prosperity.

China is a country with 56 ethnic groups of countries, more than 55 ethnic minorities living in the southwest. China's 22,000 kilometers of border line, there are 19,000 in the ethnic minority areas, where living is more than 30 ethnic groups, the border population of nearly half of the total population, its economic development, diversity and economic development of the various ethnic minorities are an important part of China's economic development.

1. The situation of ethnic group areas economic development

Since Reform and Opening up, especially since the development of the western region, the western region's economic development the ethnic group has maintained a high growth rate, economic and social undertakings have achieved notable success.

 1.1 Significantly enhance the economic strength 

In 2005, the ethnic group GDP of 172.4 billion RMB, accounting for the total national GDP of 8.8%, compared to 2004 increased 0.28 percentage points; per capita GDP reached 9,286 RMB, equivalent to the national average of 60.1% over 2004 years to increase by 2.3 percentage points [2]. "The Tenth Five-Year Plan" period, the ethnic group’s economic growth rate of 11.7%, higher than the " The Ninth Five-Year Plan" period of 3.1 percentage points.

1.2 People's living standards improved steadily

In 2005, ethnic minority areas of urban residents per capita disposable income 8833 RMB, for the national average of 84.2%; rural residents 2277 RMB per capita net income for the national average of 70.0% [3]. In 2005, ethnic minority areas of family Engel coefficient of urban residents was 38.7% (national 36.7%), the per capita living area of 25m² (National for 25m²); Engel coefficient of rural households was 50.0% (National 45.5%), per capita living space to 24.3m² (nationwide for 29.7m²), are relatively close to the national average.

1.3 General improvement of Infrastructure

In 2005, ethnic minority areas for society as a whole 937.43 billion RMB of investment in fixed assets. " The Tenth Five-Year" period, the national society as a whole area of investment in fixed assets reached 3.0204 trillion RMB, with an average annual growth rate of 25.6%, than the "Ninth Five-Year Plan" period 13.7 percent of high points, but also higher than the national average annual growth rate of 4.7 percentage points . Since 2000 since the implementation of western development, the state has the nation in the western region of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway construction, gas, electricity and other 70 key projects, a total investment of more than 980 billion RMB. As of the end of 2005, 39 have been completed, a total investment of 450 billion RMB [4]. In 2006, countries in the western region started 12 new key projects, the total size of 165.4 billion RMB of investment, involving transportation, energy, ecology and other fields. By the end of 2005, national regional state-owned rail business process 17,900 kilometers, accounting for 23.7 percent of the country, than the "Ninth Five-Year Plan" at the end of an increase of 03,700 kilometers [5]; road traffic mileage of 532,000 kilometers, accounting for 27.6% of the whole country, than the "Ninth Five-Year Plan" at the end of an increase of 196.2 thousand kilometers.

1.4 It is a great achievement in Health, cultural and educational

Cultural infrastructure in minority areas was gradually improved. In 2005, ethnic minority areas of thousands of people every culture you have the number of units have more than the national average; radio and television coverage reached 85% and 90% [6]. Mass culture of ethnic minorities and its quality improved. According to statistics data show that the minority population in 2000 the average education was 6.75 years, an increase of 2.2 years in 1990, Korean, Manchu, Mongolian, Kazak and other ethnic minorities 14 years of schooling than the national average (7.63 years), the minority population in 1990 the illiteracy rate has dropped to 30.0 percent in 2000 to 14.5% [7]. By the end of 2005, ethnic minority areas have basically achieved the goal "of universal secondary education." Minority areas are also the cause of the rapid development of health, by the end of 2005, national health organizations, there are 46,000, of which number of beds in health institutions 450,000, accounting for 13.4% of the country; health technicians 579,000, accounting for 13.0 percent nationwide.

 

2. Nationality and regional co-existence of space in economic and social development in the western ethnic minority areas of the salient features

2.1 Nationality and regional time at the following co-existence of space in economic development in the western ethnic minority areas a notable feature [22]. Specific performance in the following: economic activity and economic behavior is for their own specific historical accumulation of cultural heritage and ethnic minority culture to the people, economic activities are subject to specific historical and cultural constraints, it is not only economic and cultural links and with unity and indivisibility. People's economic activities, are specific national Military carried out in a specific geographical, and some of the national territory, which constitute the main component of productivity. Because living environment and the diversity of economic activities, creating a mix of personality characteristics of ethnic minority culture. It has also known as the impact of name of ethnic minority survival and development, because material production activities resulting from the awareness of a specific culture. As a ethnic minority -specific cultural values and activities of the national economy from a huge role, the characteristics of ethnic and cultural values, moral consciousness and behavior preferences, options and etc. as a ethnic minority -specific cultural values and activities of the ethnic minority l economy from a huge role.

2.2 The western ethnic minority economic and social development in ethnic minority areas has their own characteristics, these features provide for the economic development of the national characteristics of the region [8]. As follows: First, ethnic minority economic development in the region in addition to consistency with the characteristics of national economic development, there are also the most distinctive personality traits of ethnic minorities, that is, regional economic development in the main "man" is ethnic minority groups. The existence of ethnic groups as a result of the development of a huge difference, determines the concept of development in ethnic minority areas is different, and the vast numbers of ethnic minority groups in the region's economic development objectives, modes of understanding, constitutes a unique concept of development in ethnic minority areas . Second, the western ethnic minority regions of their own unique traditional culture, social structure and values, on economic development in ethnic minority areas had a major impact. Therefore, the market in resource allocation and regulating role of micro-basis, or median -level to the Housing of the Government's regional development regulation, or the macro level the central government's macro-control, must be adapted to regional development in minority areas of the special needs of can not engage in "one size fits all [9]." Third, due to historical, geographical and cultural differences, economic development in ethnic minority areas have been showing multi-level, differences in characteristics. Fourth, as a result of the development of productive forces and the River Habitat differences in natural conditions, making the ethnic minority economic development in the region's industrial structure, market structure and consumption structure, production methods, such as a huge difference. In short, economic development in ethnic minority areas has shown the level of diversification and development of the situation, so in research, policy-making and planning model of economic development in ethnic minority areas must be fully aware of these characteristics.

3. Minority areas the main problems

 Minority groups basis due to the development of weak market conditions are poor, weak capacity for self-development, economic and social development there are still problems.

3.1 Still relatively low level of economic development

First of all, the economic aggregate small. In 2005, the ethnic regions GDP for 1742.8 billion RMB, national GDP accounted for only 8.8% of the total; per capita GDP for 9286 RMB, only equivalent to the national average of 60.1%[10]. 2005 National hundred counties (cities), the ethnic minority areas account for only 3 months.

Secondly, Ethnic minority areas have the irrational industrial structure. Ethnic minority areas and the industrial development of the tertiary industry are lagging behind, and a far cry from the national average. In 2005, ethnic minority areas first, second and tertiary industries in GDP of 323.63 billion RMB, respectively, 731.74 billion RMB and 687.44 billion RMB, three times the ratio of industry structure 1:2.3:2.1, and 1:3.8:3.2 nationwide [11]. At the same time, high input, high consumption, high pollution and low output of the extensive mode of development, has not been fundamentally changed. In 2005, the national agricultural gross domestic product accounted for 14.0% of the country's agricultural water consumption accounts for 31.2% of the whole country; industrial GDP accounted for only 8.4 percent nationwide, but the industrial wastewater emissions of 11.0 percent nationwide, industrial emissions accounted for 14.3% of the country, industrial solid waste accounts for 30.1 percent nationwide.

3.2 To break the myth of GDP, to establish all-round development of the concept

The purpose of economic development is to enhance the economic aggregate, material to create more wealth and capital, which is good, but if the "economy first" social force will be "the development of the cliff [12]." Rising GDP does not mean people will increase the well-being. Because of the need to be divided into different categories, the basic survival needs, needs, development needs, from low to high, only after the first, and gradually resolve. Of course economic development is to enhance the well-being of people the main mode. However, GDP can not fully reflect the well-being of people in ethnic minority areas. Ethnic minority areas because there is a network of primitive slash and burn times and both times the situation of economic and social development during the test rate, the GDP not only local considerations, must be from a particular ethnic minorities, as well as consider their living conditions. Only from the local ethnic minorities from taking into account the actual situation, its historical stage is the realization of the fundamental development of ethnic minorities, ethnic minority areas is to achieve sustainable development.

3.3 The lack of high-quality personnel

As a result, it has inadequate investment of education and in a lack of high-quality talent in ethnic minority of west areas. First, there is a long way to go in basic education. By the end of 2005, the country achieve the "two basics"[13] (nine-year compulsory education basically universal and basically eliminate illiteracy among young and middle-aged) population coverage reached 95%, while the remaining 5% minority is concentrated almost entirely in ghettos. In ethnic minority areas in 699 counties, there are 150 "two basics" is not standard. To achieve the "two basics" of the ethnic minority areas, there are many loans and loans through to completion. Second, the stage of development lags behind the high school level. Ethnic minority areas in 2005 increased in junior high school gross enrollment rate was only 39.5%, lower than the nearly 3 percentage points; ethnic minority areas of thousands of people in each stage of the high school level students for 2273 were less than the national average 797 people. Third, the minority people of low educational level [14]. In 2000, the minority average number of years of education was only 6.75 years to 7.6 years on average national number of years of education and the illiteracy rate of 7.8 percent compared to very different.

3.4 Lack of backbone Industry and medium-sized enterprises

Firstly, there is weak lead of the pillar industry. Western minority areas was the central and western regions of China's large-scale "three-line Development strategies" an important region. According to statistics, since the PRC were founded to at the end of "the Sixth five-year plan", the state investment in the western region of up to more than 1000 billion RMB, accounting for the original country of "three line" areas of 11 provinces a total investment of more than 40%. Such a huge investment to build a base of heavy industry, mainly dependent on the production of a higher proportion of natural resources, and deep-processing industrial output to a considerable proportion of the end. Extractive industries and raw materials is the main component of heavy, low value-added industries, and with the local first, the three industries do not have a strong relevance to the ripple effect where it is very weak. There is short-chain of processing industry of various types, a high proportion of intermediate products, final consumer goods, the proportion of small, low value-added, leading to difficult resource advantages into economic advantages. These inputs in the industrial and mining enterprises account for a large proportion of the "embedded" approach into the national territory, their economy is basically running with the local ethnic minority phase separation of economic activities, not only when the lack of participation of the main local ethnic and no play radiation of the role of local industrial development. Secondly, there is the lack of backbone industry and the support of leading enterprises. In 2005, the national medium-sized industrial enterprises in the region play only 1899, accounting for 6.4 percent of GDP; and medium-sized enterprises to 9528.3% of GDP billion RMB, accounting for only 5.7 percent of GDP. In 2006, China's competitive large enterprise groups in the top 500 list of the nation, only 13 companies selected. Thirdly, ethnic minority areas have very weak ability to innovate. In 2005, large and medium-sized industrial enterprises in minority areas R & D (research and experimental development) the proportion of the total staff of only 4.7%, R & D funding for the whole country was only 3.2 percent of GDP; new product output value accounting for only 2.8 percent of GDP, new product sales accounting for only 2.7 percent of GDP [15]; the introduction of foreign technology in the proportion of total expenditure was only 3.2%, digestion and absorption of total expenditure accounted for 1.8%, accounting for the purchase of the right technology expenditures accounted for 7.8% of the country.

 

4. To choose a models of wide range for development, and promote sustainable economic and social development in the western areas ethnic groups

The first reasons, economic development, human development is only reflected in the development of people is the real development of the scientific concept of development which is the basic content [16]. Other reasons, the development of the national economy is the main ethnic groups of all-round development of people, only people of all ethnic groups reflected in the development of real development, which is the scientific concept of development of the nation's basic content. Therefore, the economic development of ethnic regions, we must focus on national development and regional economic development of the organic integration.

4.1 Establish a ethnic minorities scientific development concept

 The development of the region is actually the government, the market and regional mutual support and coordination of the main process, the Government's decision-making measures, as well as the functioning of the market system must take into account the development objectives of the regional public recognition and understanding, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve high-quality Development Goals [17]. Similarly, economic and social development in ethnic minority areas must be the Government and the ethnic groups in the mutual efforts to achieve genuine development. The development of minority areas must be the development of the nation itself, not in terms of watching the development of the nation's economic development in minority areas. But in reality, "regional" factors and "ethnic" factor is not always entirely consistent, and very few have a specific region only one or several complete and pure mode and ethnic minority economy may be cross-regional and, therefore, is a close link between the two together, and a certain distinction. However, the "national" perspective, and not just limited to "national regional" in scope, but to explore all in line with the national situation, with national characteristics of the regional economic development.

 Economic development in ethnic minority areas must be the fundamental interests of minority groups, must be for long-term goal to get the support of the general public to obtain good results [18]. Therefore, ethnic minority areas in the development of regional economic development planning and the establishment of national economic development mode, we must follow two basic principles: First, that the rich people and grow the local economy, it is the basis and prerequisite conditions. Secondly, the ethnic value orientations guiding principle of economic development model. The mode of economic development and the nation to a combination of value orientation, and only received the support of the main ethnic groups can be a healthy economic development.

4.2 Actively promote the industrialization process, to take a new road to industrialization

Economic and social development in ethnic minority areas will inevitably be to go the road of industrialization, but in the process of industrialization in the path of choice to reflect the characteristics [19]. For a more than 300 million population, the country's total land area of 2 / 3 of the national region, the development of industrialization and the manufacturing sector will be an insurmountable stage of development. Ethnic Areas in Western China should make full use of its resources to occupy the strengths and advantages of the western development policy, to heavy industry as a leader, to update equipment to accelerate technological innovation, and vigorously expand the industrial chain, the development of deep-processing industry. It should be to play a ripple effect to Heavy industry the formation of regional industrial chain and enhance the overall competitiveness of the region. Western minority areas of the region is not isolated, only relying on the basis of the reality of the conditions given in order to follow their own development and the road of independent innovation, industrial development and associated areas of the industry chain is the nation's overall selection. Of course, the western industrialized nation to choose the region must take a new road to industrialization, that is, in accordance with the requirements of the scientific concept of development, out of a low consumption, low emission, high efficiency, can recycling, and sustainable road to industrialization, the construction of a resource-saving and innovative community.

4.3 Actively build excellent and strong regional enterprises, the development of growth poles

 In the current domestic and international competition, the internationalization of domestic competition, international competition and domestic competition has become increasingly blending the new situation, the western minority areas to accelerate the industrialization process, it is necessary to demand from the market, the playing resources to vigorously promote the advantages of industrial development characteristics , to build up a pool of excellent competitive companies, to promote regional industrial structure adjustment and upgrade. Ethnic minority areas in the western part of the Center is also the capital city a stronger economic base, a more complete industrial system, relatively reasonable personnel structure, and resources, can this part of the city as a regional growth pole development, the implementation of development and management of multi-polarization [20]. It should be to take full advantage of the relationship with its neighboring cities, to t use of the city’s "the spread of effect" and take the path of economic development of the industrial chain.

 

4.4 It should be implementing strategies to improve the overall quality of the nation

The backwardness of the economy was mainly due to "people" behind the economic development is the main "human" a combination of development, the economy is the economic mainstay, is the main economic activities. Western Ethnic reason behind economic development in the region, an important constraint is the personnel structure is irrational, a serious shortage of high-quality talent [21]. The development of the nation is reflected not only in the development of the entire ethnic groups, but also reflected in the development of a single tribe. The operation of a large number of modern capital and technology needs of high-quality personnel to operate, the western minority areas to develop first on the needs of economy and development personnel. Therefore, development should first solve the education problem, it is necessary to the implementation of human resources development strategies, promoting the development of national high-quality personnel. Way to ensure sustainable economic development of the talent pool and improve the overall quality of the nation, and promote equality between ethnic minorities.

 

In conclusion

To speed up the development of national economy should be diversified choice of mode of development, the implementation of sustainable development strategies [22]. Western of China ethnic group for the diversification of regional economic development status quo and big drama, the situation of small populated areas, the establishment of an appropriate model of development is economic and social development in ethnic minority areas important aspect of the group. This is not only related to the development of the complexity of their own ethnic groups and the richness of the humanities, but also to judge the value of culture itself. Therefore, in the selection of national regional development mode, not "one size fits all" approach to achieve the harmonious development of the situation, and to sub-level, diversified development, it is necessary to grasp the original areas of advantage, resources, and want to introduce innovative new industries, and enhance the localization of regional competitiveness, but also the development of characteristics of the economy, the formation of complementary resources, the industrial chain of convergence, the good situation of sustainable development.

At present, the western region can be said is in a very good opportunity for strategic development. First of all, it has already a good basis for rapid development from the western ethnic minority areas to see their own development. Western ethnic minority areas of energy, minerals, water-rich region, which is agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry products in main producing areas, the focus of tourism development zone, ecological demonstration areas, open areas along the border, multi-ethnic ghettos. These advantages have a comprehensive, scarcity and post-onset is the rapid development of the western minority areas of the solid foundation and an effective carrier, as long as the design of scientific planning and rational development and construction of the advantages of these resources can be quickly transformed into economic advantage. Secondly, it will face a opportunity for economic development of ethnic minority areas, the western region is faced with a very good opportunity for integrated development. In-depth development of the western region to implement, and its focus shifted to the industrial development, urban-intensive, and focus resources to development zones and border economic cooperation zones will be more inclined. This tilt will benefit ethnic minority areas to the west of the energy and heavy chemical industry, agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, tourism, economy and water border crossings, transportation, electricity, geological survey, ecological construction and environmental protection in many areas.

 

 

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