An extensive assessment index system was developed to evaluate the integration of industry and education in higher vocational education. The system was designed using panel data collected from 31 provinces in China between 2016 and 2022. The study utilized the entropy approach and coupled coordination degree model to examine the temporal and spatial changes in the level of growth of the integration of industry and education in higher vocational education, as well as the factors that impact it. In order to examine how the integration of industry and education in higher vocational education develops over time and space, as well as the factors that affect it, we utilized spatial phasic analysis, Tobit regression model, and Dagum’s Gini coefficient. The study’s findings suggest that between 2016 and 2022, the integration of industry and education in higher vocational education showed a consistent improvement in overall development. Nevertheless, there are still significant regional differences, with certain areas showing limited levels of integration, while the bulk of regions are either in a state of low integration with high clustering or low integration with low clustering. Most locations showed either a “low-high” or “low-low” level of agglomeration, indicating a significant degree of spatial concentration, with a clear trend of higher concentration in the east and lower concentration in the west. The progress of industrial structure and the degree of regional economic development have a substantial impact on the amount of integration of industry and education in higher vocational education. There is a notable increase in the amount of integration between industry and education in higher vocational education, which has a favorable effect. Conversely, the local employment rate has a substantial negative effect on this integration. Moreover, the direct influence of industrial structure optimization is restricted. The Gini coefficient of the development level of integration of industry and education in higher vocational education exhibits a slight rising trend. Simultaneously, there is a varying increase in the Gini coefficient inside the group and a decrease in the Gini coefficient between the groups. The disparities in the level of integration between Industry and Education in the provincial area primarily stem from inter-group variations across the locations. To promote the integration of industry and education in higher vocational education, it is recommended to strengthen policy support and resource allocation, address regional disparities, improve professional configuration, and increase investment in scientific and technological innovation and talent development.

Using data from 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in mainland China from 2006 to 2019, we employ a double difference (DID) model and a spatial double difference (SDID) model to estimate the impact of the High-speed Railway (HSR) on the income gap between urban and rural residents, as well as its spatial spillover effects. Our research reveals several key findings. Firstly, the introduction of high-speed railways helps to narrow the income gap between urban and rural residents within local areas, but its spatial effects can lead to an increase in the income gap in neighboring provinces. Secondly, from a spatial perspective, intermediate variables such as industrial structure, education, science and technology, and foreign trade can also contribute to balancing the income gap between urban and rural residents, although the impact of population mobility is not significant. Thirdly, further analysis of the spatial effects demonstrates that education plays a significant role in balancing the income gap both within the local province and neighboring provinces. Additionally, adjustments in industrial structure, advancements in science and technology, and foreign trade have stronger spillover effects in reducing the income gap among neighboring provinces compared to their impact at a local level.

The Three Kingdoms period of ancient China (208-280 AD) refers to the period  between Eastern Han (25–220 AD) and Jin dynasties (266–420), during which China was divided into Shu (221-263 AD), Wei  (220-266 AD) and Wu (222-280 AD) kingdoms, and then united as Jin dynasty. This paper constructs the quarterly series of alliance structures between the Three Kingdoms. By collecting and analyzing a total of two hundred and eighty-nine quarterly observations, the paper shows that the three most frequent alliance structures are ρ0: 1) the finest partition or no-alliance structure with 192 partitions; 2) Three partitions with Shu-Jin alliance and Wu singletion with 57 partions; 3) Wei-Wu alliance and one singletion Shu with 12 partions. It also shows that the observed changes in alliance structures were the consequence of a total of fifteen major battles fought by the three kingdoms. Such results serve as a contribution to the studies of applied game theory, alliance study, and the economic and military histories in ancient China.

Adult vocational training of higher education institutes has great potential to help workforce coping with uncertainties of the fast-changing Labor market in the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0. However, the lack of clarity regarding strategies for effectively establishing adult vocational training in higher education institutes may hinder progress. The aim of this study was to develop agreed strategies of adult vocational training for higher education institutes in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The 3-round Delphi method used semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to explore and reach an agreement on the future direction of the strategies. The semi-structured interview was used in the first round to explore the ideas in relation to such strategies. the questionnaires were used in the second and the third rounds to explore further and reach the consensus on expert opinions defined at interquartile range (IQR) ≤ 1. Besides that, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods were used to calculate the weights of each consented statements. Through Delphi method, the comprehensive strategies have been articulated with the highlights of 1 vision, 6 goals and 40 actionable strategies. furthermore, the experts commonly highlighted that the vision of future adult vocational training shall prioritizes cultivating skilled professionals with industrial needs, offering everyone accessible opportunities for career development. Besides that, the result also showed that reskilling and upskilling and extending the leaners’ interpersonal networks have been ranked as the two most important goals for future adult vocational training in higher education institutes.

Exploring the development path of badminton with Chinese characteristics is a key area in advancing the reform of China’s sports system and a crucial theoretical support for transitioning from a sports power to a sports powerhouse. This article reviews the overall situation of the development of badminton in China since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and based on this, puts forward the basic connotations and directions of the development path of badminton with Chinese characteristics. It discusses the opportunities and challenges faced in aspects such as badminton management system and mechanism, accelerated optimization and upgrading of sports industry and brands, substantial breakthroughs in competitive level, cultivation of reserve talents, and diversified development of sports culture. It explores the future direction of the development path of badminton with Chinese characteristics from five aspects: system, management, talent, industry, and culture.

In recent years, how farmers leverage social capital to improve their well-being has become a crucial question in post-poverty alleviation China. This study assessed the impact of ‘linking social capital’ on farmers’ well-being, as mediated by self-efficacy. The study was conducted using data collected from 443 randomly selected farmers from two villages in Guizhou Province, China. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the proposed relationships in the study. The results indicate that linking social capital, when mediated by self-efficacy, positively impacted farmers’ well-being. This suggests that policymakers and implementers exercising hierarchical power in social improvement programs in disadvantaged provinces, such as Guizhou, should take full advantage of linking social capital to effectively improve farmers’ well-being. In doing so, the study concludes, they should consider the positive role farmers’ self-efficacy can play in the process.