The demand for global and local environmental protection - experimental evidence from climate change mitigation in Beijing

In this study, the real demand for global and local environmental protection in Beijing, China, is elicited and investigated. Participants from Beijing were offered the opportunity to contribute to voluntary climate change mitigation by purchasing permits from two Chinese CO2 emissions trading schemes (ETS). Purchased permits were withdrawn from the ETS. Since CO2 emissions mitigation is inevitably linked to other local benefits like the reduction in emissions of air pollutants, the aim of our study is to establish the demand for local and global environmental protection. To this end, Beijing and Shenzhen ETS permits were offered. The result is that at low prices the demand for Beijing ETS permits is significantly higher than for Shenzhen ETS permits indicating that a substantial part of the revealed demand for voluntary climate change mitigation in Beijing is driven by concerns for local co-benefits of CO2 emissions reduction. Our research identifies the important role of private benefits in the voluntary provision of the global public good climate change mitigation and provides first experimental evidence for China

The Impact of Variational Primary Collaterals on Cerebral Autoregulation

The influence of the anterior and posterior communicating artery (ACoA and PCoA) on dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) is largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to test whether substantial differences in collateral anatomy were associated with differences in dCA in two common types of stenosis according to digital subtraction angiography (DSA): either isolated basal artery and/or bilateral vertebral arteries severe stenosis/occlusion (group 1; group 1A: with bilateral PCoAs; and group 1B: without bilateral PCoAs), or isolated unilateral internal carotid artery severe stenosis/occlusion (group 2; group 2A: without ACoA and with PCoA; group 2B: with ACoA and without PCoAs; and group 2C: without both ACoA and PCoA). The dCA was calculated by transfer function analysis (a mathematical model), and was evaluated in middle cerebral artery (MCA) and/or posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Of a total of 231 non-acute phase ischemic stroke patients who received both dCA assessment and DSA in our lab between 2014 and 2017, 51 patients met inclusion criteria based on the presence or absence of ACoA or PCoA, including 21 patients in the group 1, and 30 patients in the group 2. There were no significant differences in gender, age, and mean blood pressure between group 1A and group 1B, and among group 2A, group 2B, and group 2C. In group 1, the PCA phase difference values (autoregulatory parameter) were significantly higher in the subgroup with patent PCoAs, compared to those without. In group 2, the MCA phase difference values were higher in the subgroup with patent ACoA, compared to those without. This pilot study found that the cross-flow of the ACoA/PCoA to the affected area compensates for compromised dCA in the affected area, which suggests an important role of the ACoA/PCoA in stabilizing cerebral blood flow

Horizontal and vertical spillover effects of foreign direct investment in Chinese manufacturing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine foreign direct investment (FDI) spillovers accruing to Chinese local industry at both intra- and inter-industry levels and how such effects vary with the nationality of the investor. Design/methodology/approach – A panel dataset for Chinese industry over the period 2000-2002 is employed for an augmented production function with external factors being defined as the influences of externalities in production. Findings – The paper provides evidence of positive spillovers working both within industries and between industries, and evidence of vertical effects being more important than horizontal effects. The results also show that Western multinational enterprises (MNEs) generate more vertical spillovers than their overseas Chinese counterparts. This latter finding confirms that it is necessary to break down inward FDI by foreign ownership, as this makes a significant improvement over previous findings. Research limitations/implications – Owing to data constraints, the design of the empirical framework does not allow a tightly defined source of potential vertical spillovers, i.e. a distinction of vertical spillovers through backward or forward linkages. Practical implications – Given the strong evidence of vertical spillovers, the role of foreign MNEs in bringing local suppliers up-to-date with best practices should be counted amongst the policy benefits when judging whether it is appropriate to provide policy incentives to FDI. Policy effectiveness could be maximized at targeting specific types of foreign investor. Originality/value – The paper assesses the relative importance of horizontal and vertical spillovers in a unified framework and the role of nationality of the investor.China, International investments, Inward investment, Manufacturing industries, Multinational companies

China's Industrial Competitiveness in the World

This article studies China's industrial competitiveness using international perspectives and comparison. Adopting the index of competitive industrial performance developed by the United Nations Industrial Organization (UNIDO), we assess China's position in the world and analyze the dynamics of its industrial capabilities, focusing on five drivers of industrial capability: skills, technological efforts, inward foreign direct investment (FDI), royalty and technical payments abroad, and modern infrastructure. We find that China's big jump in industrial competitiveness is largely associated with its participating international production networks. The corresponding dangers with such connection, however, are low domestic value added and merely serving as an export platform. China can become a global industrial power only if it succeeds in upgrading industry and domestic innovation.

Green Low-Carbon Development in China

XIII, 252 p. 71 illus.online resource