Path of Non-traditional Modernization in Ethnic Regions

Author: Shi Shouxiang et al
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is one of the most unique and noteworthy regions in China and even in the world. Research on the development model of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau should adopt a new perspective. The prominent issues facing the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are ecological degradation and poverty among farmers and herdsmen. These issues amplify the accumulated effects of ecological insecurity and social instability, all of which are related to unreasonable regional development models. The development of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has its own uniqueness, and its strategic position, resource endowments, level of social development, and environmental characteristics determine that it must pursue a new path of modernization. The authors believe that the eco-economic, specialized economic, and human-centered development models are realistic choices for the regional development strategy of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The development of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau should leverage its comparative advantages and develop specialized economies. In line with the basic principles and strategic goals of sustainable development in the region, a specialized economic system supported by a series of pillar industries should gradually take shape in future development. This includes a green ecological and specialized agricultural and pastoral industry series, a cultural industry series dominated by tourism, a light industry series primarily focused on ethnic industry, Tibetan medicine biopreparations, and local specialty product processing, an ecological protection and construction industry series, and advantageous mining and mineral industries. The eco-economic model of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau also differs from other regions in inland China. In the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the essence of eco-economy is a survival substitution model. Comprehensive development, natural conservation, and ecological relocation are important practical forms. The backwardness of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, on a larger scale, is fundamentally social backwardness. To revitalize the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the key lies in enhancing human capabilities and unleashing human potential, implementing a "human-centered" development model. Economic development models must ultimately be implemented at the industrial level, especially in the development of pillar industries. Through comparison with the rest of the country, the authors believe that specialized agricultural and pastoral industries and mining and raw material industries are the realistic pillar industries of the Qinghai-Tibet region, while tourism and Tibetan medicine processing are potential pillar industries.