China’s Pledge to Civilise “All Under Heaven”

With China's global rise, both its state leadership and key academics have engaged in developing a civilisational discourse for the twenty-first century partly based on ancient cosmological concepts. This article explores the meanings of and intentions behind this discourse, including its promise of a Chinese-led world order, and discusses its intended audience and international appeal. In the backdrop of theoretical debates on empires and their missions, the article claims that without a corresponding cultural appeal, China's rising economic power and geostrategic clout are insufficient conditions to realise an empire in the classical sense. Growing inconsistencies mar the country's imperial ambitions, such as those between a global civilising outreach and a toughening domestic embrace. Instead, imperial rhetoric is cautiously integrated in the party-state's restoration of a Chinese "empire within," indicating self-centredness and a lurking re-traditionalising of Chinese state power

Nature-like and conventional fishways: Alternate concepts?

Many in-stream structures result in obstruction to fish migrations, thus preventing access to spawning grounds and other habitat areas which provide life cycle requirements for reproduction, rearing and shelter. Frequently, fishways are constructed at the site of the obstruction to provide access to habitat for various species. Conventional approaches to fish passage generally consist of \u27hard\u27 structures (e.g. concrete) or physical transport systems. Through experience and research in the laboratory and the field, much has been learned about the design requirements of these fishways. Recent attention has shifted to the use of \u27soft\u27 materials (e.g. rock), to try for a more ecologically-friendly fish passage method. The associated structures are referred to as nature-like fishways since they attempt to mimic nature. Considerable research in nature-like fishways is needed to ensure their successful application and widespread adoption. In this paper we give an overview of conventional and nature-like fish passage technology for river water projects. Included in the paper are discussions on basic fish passage requirements, conventional fishways, nature-like fishways, and guidance in selecting the fishways type. Comments are also provided on the need for further research in volitional fish passage technology