Yangtze River Middle and Upper Reaches and Sustainable Development in Central and Western China

Author: China Yangtze River Middle and Upper Stream Sustainable Development Research Group
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-04-01
Features: There are approximately 180 research institutions in China studying the Yangtze River, with 37 alone in Wuhan. These research institutions are segmented by river basins, focusing on the main stem, tributaries, lakes, upper, middle, and lower reaches, with little cross-disciplinary collaboration. They are also segmented by administrative regions, with provinces, cities, and autonomous regions setting up research institutions based on their subordination, with little cross-disciplinary collaboration. They are segmented by administrative departments, with transportation, communication, navigation, infrastructure, water conservancy, large-scale power generation, flood control, drought relief, industry, and agriculture all belonging to different departments. When faced with highly comprehensive major issues, temporary "command posts" and "offices" are established. Research institutions rarely collaborate or integrate with each other. They are segmented by disciplines, such as geology, water conservancy, culture, economy, ecology, society, and law. "Different trades have different mountains to cross," even within a research institute or a university, relevant disciplines rarely collaborate or integrate, and it is also difficult to do so. The Yangtze River Basin is originally a very complex, organic, and massive system. To scientifically understand the Yangtze River, one must rely on the big science perspective. A single discipline studying the Yangtze River in isolation is like a blind person. Therefore, we integrate cross-disciplines and leverage comprehensive advantages to conduct an in-depth and systematic study of the sustainable development of the Yangtze River Middle and Upper Stream and Central and Western China, aiming to scientifically outline the future development blueprint of the Yangtze River. The composition of our research group and the writing of this book are carried out in accordance with this guiding principle.