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.