Chapter 13 (Taiwan)

In Chapter 13, we learned about Taiwan (Republic of China), and I thus researched for information regarding Xian's relationship with Taiwan. I came across a very interesting article published on July 24, 2013, by the South China Morning Post that contrasted Xian's transportation system with that in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei. The article, titled "Taiwanese tourist in mainland China ignored by more than 20 taxis," described an incident that occured on July 22nd, when Liu Hsiang Mei, a traveler from Taipei, arrived in Xian and tried to hail a taxi to take her to her hotel. However, as the article states:

Various taxi drivers stopped to ask her where she wanted to go, but after hearing that her destination was only 1.3 kilometres away, the drivers either rejected her outright or said the roads were bad or they were unsure of the route. At least seven empty taxis also passed Liu without bothering to stop, and after waiting for over an hour and hearing rejections from more than 20 drivers, Liu was forced to carry her luggage to her hotel by foot.

Below are pictures of Liu as she unsuccessfully tried to hail a taxi in Xian and subsequently walked to her hotel on foot:
 



The Chinese news agency, Xinhua, has subsequently conducted an investigation into Xian's taxi system, and they concluded that there are serious issues with it, with waiting times sometimes as much as fifteen minutes, and some reporters complained that empty taxis would drive by and "ignore them completely."

This incident has caused an outcry on Sina Weibo, where bloggers have begun to speak out against Xian's transport problems. The article quotes a blogger who claimed, "The number of Xian taxis who refuse potential passengers is unparalleled." Other bloggers also complained about Xian's bus system, such as one individual who said, "Compared to Xian bus drivers, Xian taxi drivers are relatively decent. Bus drivers treat their passengers like cattle, always telling them to move backwards [to the end of the bus] in a rude tone of voice...These people believe that...in a state-run public transportation world, they are the 'masters.' This is a deep-rooted problem in our society."

According to the article, the general attitude among the commentators on Sina Weibo was that "this sort of incident 'would never happen in Taipei.'" The article quotes a citizen from Shenzhen who stated, "I just came back from Taipei yesterday. I sat in taxis several times and met many drivers... They all had a good attitude and would chat with me and introduced me to local places. Taiwan's service industry - we really have a lot to learn from them!" After reading this article, I am inclined to agree. Since I regularly ride my city's bus, I personally feel that Xian's transportation system is appalling, and I hope that this incident leads to reforms in the the city's public transit system and to improvements in their employees' attitudes. Hopefully, Xian can learn from Taipei's example.

(Source: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1289778/taiwanese-tourist-mainland-ignored-more-20-taxis )

Chapters 11 & 12 (Hong Kong & Macau)

In Chapters 11 and 12, we learned about the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. I subsequently researched information regarding Xian's relationships with Hong Kong and Macau. Since Xian is the capital of Shaanxi Province and it is such a prominent city in China, I was interested to learn more about its transportation network and accessibility, including how citizens in Xian can travel to Hong Kong or Macau and vice versa.. According to an article by ChinaHighlights.com, the city of Xian is served by Xianyang International Airport, which is located about an hour outside of the city. The airport was opened in 1991, and as the article states, "The rapid growth in air traffic in north western China has led it to require further investment. Xi'an Xianyang airport will see its airport terminal building expanded with new investment buying boarding bridges, air conditioning equipment, and other passenger terminal building equipment." 

According to the article, the Xianyang International Airport is the fourth largest airport in China and it provides several flights to China's major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Urumugi. The article also states, "There are also a few flights to Lhasa and international flights to Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan." Thus, Xian is connected to Hong Kong and Macau through the Xianyang International Airport, which is pictured below:

As I researched information regarding Xian's transportation network, I was surprised to learn about an airplane crash that occurred from the Xianyang Airport on June 7, 1994. A news report published by the New York Times on that day described the incident:

The aviation problems today began when a Russian-built Tupolev-154 operating as China Northwest Airlines Flight 2303 took off from Xian shortly after 8 A.M. Ten minutes later the control tower at Xianyang Airport lost contact with jet, which crashed 18 miles southeast of the airport. The official New China News Agency said tonight that none of the 146 passengers and 14 crew members survived. The official dispatch said 133 were mainland Chinese, 3 were Hong Kong residents, 1 was from Taiwan and 9 were from elsewhere.

The cause of the crash was eventually determined to be a maintenance flaw. I had never heard of this plane crash before, and it is very tragic that none of the individuals on the plane survived.

(Sources: http://www.chinahighlights.com/xian/transportation.htm,
  http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/07/world/jet-crash-in-china-kills-160-another-flight-is-hijacked.html )

Chapter 10 (Urban China)

In Chapter 10, we learned about China's urban development and its urban geography. Within this chapter, we also learned about the development and organization of China's cities throughout history. I was particularly interested to read about the organization of traditional Chinese cities, since the textbook states on page 274, "Today, remnants of traditional Chinese city planning are still visible in the inner cities of Beijing, Xi'an, and Nanjing." Thus, I subsequently researched for information regarding Xian's historical development and organization.

According to an article by TravelChinaGuide.com, Xian, historically known as Chang'an, served as the capital of thirteen dynasties and it represents the "cradle of China." The article quotes a traditional saying in China, which describes Xian's historical significance: "Go to Shanghai and you will find a 100-year-old China; go to Beijing and you will find a 1000-year-old China; go to Xian and then you will find a 3000-year-old China." Through these 3,000 years, Xian has established itself as one of the most ancient and significant cities within China. As the article declares, "Together with Athens, Cairo and Rome, Xian is among the four major ancient civilization capitals of the world." This is truly remarkable!

In the Chapter 10 Lecture, we learned that city walls were significant features in many Chinese historical cities, so I researched for more information regarding Xian's City Wall (which is featured as a background for this blog). According to an article by China Odyssey Tours, which is a Chinese travel agency, "Xian's ancient City Wall is the most intact ancient Chinese wall in existence." Because Xian served as the capital for thirteen dynasties, the need for a defensive structure was imperative in order to protect the capital against threats. The City Wall encircles the inner part of modern-day Xian. According to the article, "The City Wall seen today was constructed on the foundations of the city walls from the Sui (581-617) and Tang (618-904) Dynasties, during the reign of Emperor Hongwu (1370-1378) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1627)." The Wall includes four gates located on the north, south, east, and west sides of the Wall. The article also states,

The wall is 13,912 meters in circumference, 12 meters in height, the foundation is 18 meters in width, and the top of the wall is 15 meters wide...The ancient City Wall features a series of watchtowers, turrets, crenels and gate towers, all surrounded by a moat. These features make up an integrated city defense system. In 1983 Shaanxi Province decided to do a large scale restoration of the wall to restore it to its original appearance. They added a park around the outside of the wall and restored its ancient gate towers.

Today, Xian's City Wall serves as a major tourist attraction and, since the top of the wall is a wide roadway, it even serves as the venue for the international sport called "The Marathon of Xi'an City Wall." Below are a few pictures of the City Wall in modern-day Xian:









(Sources: http://www.cits.net/china-guide/destinations/silk-road/xian/ming-dynasty-city-wall.html ,
               http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/xian/xian-ancient-city-wall.html )

Chapter 9 and Lecture 8 (The Opening Process)

In Chapter 9 and Lecture 8 we learned about China's opening process, including the increase of foreign direct investment in China. I subsequently researched information regarding Xian's development in response to this opening process, and according to multiple sources, Xian has recently become a magnet for foreign investment. According to an article published by China Watch, a supplement to the Washington Post, on October 25, 2012, and written by Li Fusheng, Xian's stance as a rising economic center in China has recently improved substantially in the eyes of foreign high-tech firms. In September 2012, South Korea's famous electronics firm, Samsung, launched a $7 billion investment in Xian as it decided to open a microchip plant in the Xian's High-Tech Industries Development Zone, which is 307 squ. km. and is home to more than 16,800 enterprises. According to Fusheng, the construction on the Samsung facility is already underway and it is planned to be fully operational by the end of 2013.

Xian's High-Tech Industries Development Zone:


Construction of the Samsung facility in Xian:


Samsung's investment is not only significant for Xian, but for China as a whole as well, as Fusheng stated, "the $7-billion plant is the largest single foreign investment China has ever received in the information and electronics industry." This incredible development has caused the international high-tech community to look to Xian as a prospective destination for foreign investment. Zhao Hongzhuan, head of the administrative committee of the Xi'an High-Tech Industries Development Zone, described in the article how a major United States chemical engineering company once refused to invest in Xian, but following Samsung's investment has committed to launch a $200 million project in the city.

Other foreign high-tech companies have followed Samsung's lead and have recently invested in Xian, including the U.S.-based Moses Industries and Applied Materials firms. The city is already home to over 2,600 electronics enterprises, including operations managed by Intel, and city planners are hopeful that the Samsung facility will assist in " paving the way for Xi'an to realize its dream of becoming another major semiconductor industrial base, following the footsteps of those in the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta and the Bohai Economic Rim." The Samsung facility promises to provide at least 10,000 employment positions as well as internship opportunities for students at local universities, which will help provide them with hands-on technical experience.

Ultimately, the article cites several reasons for Xian's development as a magnet for foreign investment, including its low costs, geographic location, strong government support, and "rich talent pool" from its nearly 100 universities and colleges. I am happy to see that Xian is experiencing such an boom in foreign investment, since this will undoubtedly improve its citizens' quality of life due to an increase in employment opportunities and improvements in modernizing technologies. As Lou Qinjian, deputy governor of Shaanxi province, stated regarding this increase in foreign investment in Xian, "As more foreigners are coming to Xi'an, the government will try its best to make their lives here easier and enjoyable as well as to provide good schools for their children...This will help bring momentum to the city, which has set a goal of becoming an international metropolis by 2020." If current trends continue, I have no doubts that Xian will have little difficulty in meeting this goal.

(Source: http://chinawatch.washingtonpost.com/2012/10/top-tech-firms-follow-samsung-to-xian.php)

Chapter 8 (Agriculture)

In Chapter 8 we learned about China's agriculture, so I subsequently researched information regarding Xian's agricultural system, and I came across an interesting article by China Daily, titled "Agritainment boosts Xi'an's farmers' income" by Xu Xiao. This article published in 2012 discusses the recent trend of "agritainment", or agricultural tourism, that has become popular in Xian. According to the article, "Agritainment refers to any farm-based tourism operation that provides agriculture-themed entertainment, such as real farming experiences and homemade meals made from food grown on the farm." The article states that more than 5,000 agritainment "restaurants" currently exist in Xian. These agritainment businesses attract tourism from foreigners as well, such as from the United States. Below is a picture of foreign tourists visiting an agritainment farm in Xian:

This trend has contributed to rising incomes for Xian's farmers. The article states, "In 2011, urban residents' income per capita was 25,981 yuan and farmers' income per capita was 9,788 yuan, both of which were more than double 2006 levels. Growth rates were the biggest among 15 sub-provincial capital cities." Also, according to Kang Lifend, deputy direction of the Xian tourism administration, "A farmer who runs so-called 'agritainment' restaurants in the mountainous area of Xi'an can earn 200,000 yuan ($31,408) a year, more than the average annual income of urban residents." This is remarkable! It seems amazing to think that a farmer can earn more than an urban resident, since agricultural work has historically been subject to low incomes in China.

The article also notes that Xian was selected as one of the happiest cities in China in 2009. According to Xian's mayor, Dong Jun (pictured below), this is due to the municipal government's high investments toward increasing the city's living standards. Dong promised, "We will do more practical things for people to make their lives better. We will help each citizen lead a more dignified and happier life."

It seems that Xian is on the way toward becoming one of the top cities in China, and it is likely that its growing agritainment business will help promote the city's living standards as well as its popularity and prestige.

(Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-09/10/content_15746065.htm). 

Chapter 7 and Lecture 7 (Economy and Reforms)

In Chapter 7 and Lecture 7 we learned about China's economy, including an overview of its economic history, and its economic reforms. I have subsequently researched more information regarding Xian's economy and its development in response to these economic reforms. Xian is particularly interesting to study since it is located within the interior west of China, which has traditionally been less economically affluent and less technologically advanced as the eastern coastal regions. However, according to many sources, Xian is becoming an economic leader within China. According to an article published by the China Research Center on April 17, 2010, and written by Susan Walcott and Chen Ying, Xian's rise to "regional prominence" initially began following the communists' victory in 1949 and their subsequent relocation of several coastal technical research universities and strategic industries to the interior, such as to the city of Xian, in response to their "Third Line" defensive strategy. These universities and industries helped create new urban centers of economic strength within the interior of China, and helped transform and modernize the formerly rural Xian.

Around the turn of the twenty-first century, Xian began to establish itself as a key provider of producer services in China, which is a position that it continues to maintain and strengthen. According Walcott and Ying, "The three main components of modern Xi’an’s producer services sector are financial services (banking, insurance and securities), information consulting (advertising, law and accounting), and computer services (software, data processing and database services)." Also, the article points out that Xian's tertiary sector, or service-based sector, is also increasing, as employment increased substantially from 1997 to 2006 in Xian's financial services, information consulting, and computer consulting.

The primary impetus behind Xian's economic growth and modernization was "State intervention", generally in the form of government investment in the establishment of research universities in Xian and in the form of state-level urban and financial planners who helped initiate construction projects to raise employment and to build shopping malls and other amenities to boost the tourism business. This policy of central investment in interior cities was used throughout much of western China, and as Walcott and Ying noted, it "seems to have been successful in Xi'an." Ultimately, the authors of the article praised Xian as a "reinvigorated oasis of affluence in the dry lands of west China" and I can't help but agree. Xian has risen to become a shining example of economic transformation and modernization within China, as these pictures of the modern city of Xian seem to indicate:

Erhuan Road in Xian:


The High-Tech park in Xian:



Yongningmen Metro Station in Xian:



(Source: http://www.chinacenter.net/developing-western-china-xians-maturing-economy-and-the-role-of-producer-services/)

Chapter 5 (Population and Human Resources)

     

In Chapter 5, we learned about population and human resources in China. I have subsequently researched population and demographic information regarding the Chinese city of Xian. I was particularly interested by some statistics that were published by StarMass.com (a market research company) regarding Xian's significant population growth over the last few years, which are stated below:

Total population of Xi’an (capital of Shanxi Province) has grown from 6.9 million in 2001 to 7.9 million in 2011, (with about five million people living within the urban area) representing a 14% increase over a period of 10 years. Majority of Xi’an residents are Han Chinese, which consists of 99.1% of the city's total population.

These statistics are accompanied by an illustrative graph, which allows us to better visualize Xian's significant population growth trends in the ten-year period from 2001 to 2011:


(Source: http://www.starmass.com/china-review/city-overview/xi-an.htm).

As the textbook describes, a rising population can create stress on a country's (or city's) ability to supply its people with adequate care, such as educational opportunities. However, according to the website of the General Office of Shaanxi Province, Xian has risen to the occasion, especially regarding education. The website states:

So far, there are 49 institutes of higher education, over 3,000 technical research institutes, and 661 independent research institutes in Xi'an, including 44 national key labs and industrial test centers. At present, there are 632,200 on-campus college students and over 417,700 technical professionals in Xi'an. Each year, more than 10,000 students of master and doctorate degrees graduate from local universities. Besides, there are 45 academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, and many first-rate scientists in Xi'an. Currently, there are 820,000 people above the educational level of junior colleges, accounting for 10.92% of the total population in Xi'an, and ranking first in China. In terms of the percentage of adults (above 18 years old) who have received education, Xi'an also ranks first in China. 

(Source: http://english.shaanxi.gov.cn/articleAboutsx/aboutshaanx/mapshaanxi/201204/29418_1.html).

These statistics are astounding! I think it is surprising that Xian, a city in the interior west of China, ranks as Number 1 in terms of the percentage of educated adults who live there. I think most people would assume that the highly populated and modernized eastern cities, such as Beijing or Shanghai, would have achieved a higher educational ranking than Xian.

I am particularly encouraged by the fact that Xian has become a leader in the area of science education. As a student majoring in mathematics, I feel strongly that a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields is important for a community since it can lead to advancements in the region's technology, infrastructure, and finance, and thus can contribute to improvements in the community's standard of living.

Here is a picture and logo of Northwestern Polytechnical University, which focuses on the study of engineering and is one of the leading academic institutes in Xian:

 
(Source: http://english.nwpu.edu.cn/index.htm).

Ultimately, as a student who believes in the value of education, I find it inspiring to think that Xian is one of the cities in China that is leading the way for increased educational opportunities, despite the pressures of its rising population.

Chapter 4 (The Political Geography)

Today, September 26, is an exciting day because this is the opening day of the Euro-Asia Economic Forum that is being hosted in Xian, China. According to EuroAsia.org, the forum's official website, the "Euro-Asia Economic Forum is designed to be a high-end international conference geared to the needs of the vast Eurasian region." This forum was first established in 2005 in Xian and three editions have since taken place, with the Municipal Government of Xian having been named the permanent host of the forum in 2007. Today's forum will be attended by several officials from several Chinese ministries as well as from other governments in Europe and Asia, as well as the United States, and it will last until September 28. (Source: http://www.euroasiaforum.org/GeneralInformation.asp).

The organizers for this forum chose the city of Xian for many reasons. Most fundamentally, they chose it to serve as a reference to its ancient roots as the starting point of the Silk Road, which served as the main international trading route that connected China with the rest of the European and Asian world. The organizers of the forum wish to revive the ancient Silk Road by fostering increased regional cooperation.
(Source: http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/812174/2013-Euro-Asia-Economic-Forum-to-kick-off-in-Xian.aspx)

Here is a map that shows how Xian served as the starting point of the Silk Road:


Here is a picture of Vice Premier Wang Yang, who opened today's forum:


 Today, the United States Director for Anticrime Programs, David Luna, delivered his remarks to the members of the forum, which are provided on the US State Department's website. I found his remarks regarding the "booming city of Xian" to be very interesting. Luna stated:

Given the rich history of Xi'an, one of the Four Great Ancient capitals of China, and a flourishing center of economic, cultural, scholastic, and artistic talents, there is perhaps no city in the world that understands the complexities and vital significance of cross-border trade better than Xi'an. It is here that the Silk Road began over one thousand years ago, and it is here that major multinational corporations from around the world, including some of the top Fortune 500 companies, have chosen to invest today. And akin to its historical legacy, Xi'an continues to serve as a hub of commerce, innovation, and higher-learning institutions. 

Luna concluded that, for these reasons, it is fitting that the forum is hosted in this great city. Thus, it can be easily seen that Xian continues to play an important role within the political sphere of China as it continues to serve as a link between China and the rest of the world, just as it did when it served as the starting point of the Silk Road.

(Source: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/rm/2013/214731.htm).

Chapter 3 (Ancient Roots and Binding Traditions)

At about 3,000 years old, the city of Xian is one of the most ancient cities in China. According to ChinaHighlights.com, China's history can be traced to its beginnings in Xian when Emperor Qin united China and established his capital in this city in 221 BC. Also, the article reports, "Xian served as China's capital for the most dynasties: ten dynasties spread intermittently over a 1,100 year period, most notably the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) and the Tang Dynasty (618-907), golden ages in China's history." I find this interesting to note, since when many people think of China, they think of its modern-day capital of Beijing; however, it can be argued that the city of Xian actually has more historical significance for China since it served as the nation's capital for the greatest number of emperors.

Although there are many important aspects of this city's ancient history, such as its position as the starting point of the Silk Road, one of the most popular and astounding is its ancinet Terracotta Army. According to an article by Arthur Lubow published in July 2009 by Smithsonian Magazine Online,  located just a half hour outside of Xian lies the famed terracotta soldiers that were built for Emperor Qin. The thousands of terracotta soldiers and horses were created to be buried with the emperor upon his death, which were likely created to glorify his legacy and to serve him in the afterlife. The contents of this vault were discovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well. It is amusing to think of the astonishment that they must have felt when they came upon these amazingly lifelike statues.

Today, 600 pits, over a 22-square mile area, have been discovered, while three main pits are enclosed in the four-acre Museum of the Terracotta Army, which opened in 1979. Today, many tourists of Xian consider stopping by this Museum as one of the major stops on their itinerary. But, as Lubow states, "For those unable to make the journey to Xian, some of the choicest specimens unearthed there form the centerpiece of two successive traveling exhibitions that survey the reign of Qin Shi Huangdi (221 BC - 210 BC)." So, even if I can't make it to Xian, hopefully I will be able to see one of these exhibitions!

Here are some pictures of the standing terracotta soldiers:




(Sources: http://www.chinahighlights.com/xian/terracotta-army/ , http://www.chinahighlights.com/xian/terracotta-army/)

Chapter 2 (The Natural Environment)

The city of Xian has become notorious for its poor air quality. According to an article from the Canada Free Press by Jack Dini published on February 1, 2012, the World Health Organization (WTO) declared in 2006 that Xian had the second worst air quality in the world. The article also compared the air quality in Xian to that found in the United States by stating that, according to the WTO report, "The air in Xian is, on average, 9-10 times more polluted in terms of PM 2.5 than the median PM 2.5 levels of the two most polluted cities in the 112 city US study (Rubidoux, CA, and Los Angeles, CA)." PM 2.5 refers to a form of fine particulate matter that can be found in the air. I found these statistics to be highly disturbing and incredible to believe. But many pictures of Xian make these facts regarding its poor air quality easier to believe; for example, I have posted a picture below that demonstrates the air conditions that the people of Xian live with.


This is a view of the Xian Drum Tower, largely obscured by the smog:


However, as described by the article, the link between the levels of PM 2.5 and mortality rates remain controversial and deserve greater research; in fact, the article proposes that the health risks of PM 2.5 must have been exaggerated, since as Dini claims, "one would expect to see this phenomenon operating in high gear in the respiratory horror story that Xian should be." Instead, Xian has experienced a relatively low mortality rate increase that can be linked to the levels of PM 2.5. In any case, however, I believe it is common sense that such amazingly high levels of PM 2.5 pose a serious health risk to the population of Xian, and I hope that it can bring this under control in the near future.

(Source: http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/44356).

Chapter 1 (Introduction)

For the duration of this course, I will focus my blog postings on the Chinese city of Xian (also sometimes spelled as Xi'an). I have chosen to study this city because, after much research, I have learned that it is one of the most ancient cities in China and is home to the famous Terracotta Army, which has always fascinated me and is definitely something that I wish to see in person during my life. I will discuss the Terracotta Army in greater detail in a future post. Xian is also the capital of Shaanxi province and according to our textbook, "Of China's largest cities, only Xian, Wuhan, and Chongqing are located in the interior center or West."

Here is a map that shows where Xian is located within China:



 As one of the major points on the Silk Route, Xian is home to a rich ancient history and it is also the home to many modern-day Chinese citizens who are working to transform and modernize it. It is also a very popular tourist destination (and I hope to visit it as a tourist in the future!). I have chosen the background for my blog to be an image of the Xian City Wall, the construction for which began under the Ming Dynasty.

I am looking forward to educating myself on Xian, and to posting many interesting facts and reflections on this ancient city. I will often use the chapter topics from our textbook as a guide for what I will discuss about Xian each week.

(Source: http://www.topchinatravel.com/china-guide/most-famous-cities-in-china.htm).