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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 11, No. 5
Publication Date: May 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/assrj.115.17064.
Feng, H. & Squires, V. R. (2024). Interactions Between Sociology as A Discipline and Maritime Industries and Related Pursuits with
Special Reference to The South China Sea Coast. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(5). 384-389.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Interactions Between Sociology as A Discipline and Maritime
Industries and Related Pursuits with Special Reference to The
South China Sea Coast
Haiying Feng
ORCID: 0000-0003-0594-1187
Bei Bu Gulf University, Qinzhou, China
Victor R. Squires
ORCID: 0000-0002-6684-2927
University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
ABSTRACT
Sociology is the systematic study of social behaviour and human groups. It focuses
primarily on the influence of social relationships upon people’s attitudes and
behaviour and on how societies are established and change. As a field of study,
sociology has a very broad scope. For the purposes of this commentary, there will
be a narrowing to embody the key interactions between people who live, work and
recreate in the relatively narrow belt where the land meets the sea. Of course, the
full extent of the interactions may be felt far away because rivers and canals link the
hinterland with the coastal zone. This paper makes several contributions to the
growing body of literature in the application of the tools used by sociologists to
assess and evaluate the multi-faceted nature of the trends emerging from the
growth and importance of maritime industries and related pursuits along the South
China seacoast. Beginning with a very brief history ideas about the land/sea
interactions and some analysis of examples of environmental determinism in
practice.
Keywords: history of ideas, coastal zone, hinterland, environmental determinism,
hazards, shipping, trade, marine aquaculture, industry, culture, urbanization
CONTEXT AND SETTING
The South China sea (Fig. 1Left, 1 Right) is a large and complex alternation of islands, rocky
outcrops, and mainland coastlines (shelf).
The shelf of the South China sea in the Gulf of Tonkin (Bei Bu Gulf) is the focus of this paper.
Water depth is in the range of 0-1000 m. The different water depths affect the impact of
typhoons and tsunamis and storm surges. But they create conditions favourable to various fish,
crustaceans and bivalves. These aquatic resources are the foundation of livelihoods for many.
Residents along the shelf are acting to mitigate the stormy weather and remedial action (like
sea walls) to minimise damage. Early warning systems are in place and radar and satellite
imagery are on 24/7 alert (Feng, Zhu, Wu & Squires, 2003). Preparedness is the key to adapting
to these marine incursions. Feng et al., 2023 review the impact of disaster and consideration is
given to aspects of the process of engaging with local communities in areas at risk of disasters
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Feng, H. & Squires, V. R. (2024). Interactions Between Sociology as A Discipline and Maritime Industries and Related Pursuits with Special Reference
to The South China Sea Coast. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(5). 384-389.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.115.17064
and in those sites that are affected with severe consequences on peoples' income, wealth,
health, and social state. Vulnerability is an important factor and its nature and implications are
examined through the lens of a sociologist.
THEMES TO BE EXPLORED
A number of themes recur throughout the South China Sea foreshore and adjacent hinterland.
These are listed in the accompanying Theme chart (Fig.2). Some will be dealt with in more detail
here while the bibliography will allow the interested reader to explore the details.
Society and Maritime Enterprises and Pursuits
Social ecological systems
Ecosystem services
Culture and heritage
Ethnicity and Gender
Demographics
Population growth,
Migration and displacement
Land use conflicts
Urbanisation
social structure
waste disposal
Benefit sharing
Disaster management
Early warning
Mitigation, preparedness
Reconstruction
Transport and distribution
Integrated Ship, Rail, Road and Canal
Figure 2: A Theme chart of key interactions between sociological and maritime phenomena
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 11, Issue 5, May-2024
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In many parts of China, rapid economic growth, socioeconomic inequality, and environmental
degradation (air, water, soil) are undermining social stability and sustainable urbanization.
Rural-urban migration is the main factor contributing to urban population growth. Economic
opportunity in urban areas is the main 'pull factor' but government policies provide a 'push
factor' (Feng & Squires 2018). Cropland abandonment because of rural depopulation or policy
interventions has become a key issue in hinterland mountainous areas. One such region is the
Guangxi Karst Mountainous Area (GKMA), a zone where more than 59% of total land area is
hilly and arable land of a commercially viable size is almost non-existent. The rugged terrain
and land fragmentation dominate (Feng and Squires 2022).
DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
It is a scene of rapid expansion of marine enterprises related to divergent activities like port
facilities, defence installations, marine aquaculture, artisanal fishing and seaside tourism based
on a few sandy beaches. On shore there are boat building businesses, marine engineering
facilities, oil storage and refinery.
Fig. 4: Boat building is just one of the major new maritime industries
A key feature is the integration of port, road, rail and canal transport. High speed (bullet trains)
running on dedicated freight corridors provide rapid freight movement across China.
Fig.5: High speed freight trains run through dedicated freight corridors
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Feng, H. & Squires, V. R. (2024). Interactions Between Sociology as A Discipline and Maritime Industries and Related Pursuits with Special Reference
to The South China Sea Coast. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(5). 384-389.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.115.17064
For example, the high sped train cuts 17 hours off the 2000 km journey from the port of
Qinzhou (on the Bei Bu Gulf) to Lanzhou a major inland city on the Yellow river and a junction
for goods trains travelling to Europe along the New Silk road. Similarly, high speed freight trains
go south to Vientiane in Cambodia with local connections to neighbouring countries. Cross
border e-commerce between China and Vietnam is gathering pace.
THE NEW MARITIME SILK ROAD
Maritime regions have played a major role in the history of China and indeed in many countries
around the world. Maritime exploration and trade, often led by China (Cartwright, 2019) have
played a pivotal role in shaping the course of human history, fostering cultural exchange,
economic growth, and the spread of new ideas. These endeavours have connected continents,
enabled the rise and fall of empires, and transformed isolated societies into interconnected
global communities. Such is the newly revived Maritime Silk Road that is part of China’s
ambitious Belt and Road initiative (Fig. 6). The sociological impact of these major engineering
feats is enormous. There is much opportunity for multidisciplinary teams to study the ‘ripples’
as these mega projects unfold.
Fig. 6: Route map of the ambitious Belt and Road initiative
China looks to ASEAN countries for closer ties and freer trade and ports like Qinzhou and
Fangchenggang the Bei Bu Gulf are the closest to ports in Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines.
Fangchenggang is the most convenient gateway for the hinterland of China to enter ASEAN as
it shares land, sea and rivers with the countries of ASEAN. angcheng Port, the largest port in
western China, deals with business with more than 190 countries and regions around the world
and with the integrated road, rail and water transport networks there is tremendous
opportunity to foster trade, especially as there are now free trade zones in China’s southwest.
LAND GRAB: CONTROL OVER LANDS AND WATERS
From the earliest days of hunting grounds and fisheries, there have been attempts by groups to
gain control over lands and waters. A new wave of land grabbing has emerged in China as land
was acquired and converted to new uses such as roads, bridges, canals, railways, factories, large
scale greenhouses for food production and so on (Feng & Squires 2021).
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 11, Issue 5, May-2024
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Not only has the land been assigned to a new land use but the lives of people whose land was
grabbed was forever altered. Some displaced persons were employed later in construction jobs
but for others it ended a lifestyle and means of livelihood. An example is the relatively recent
transfer of artisanal fishers, who had always lived on their boats, to government-provided
housing on the mainland.
The interactions occur between the human population who occupy land on the margins and the
growth, expansion and magnitude of maritime pursuits, shipping, ship building, cargo handling,
especially containers. The Bei Bu Gulf has become a site for creation of major port facilities.
Large container vessels require deeper channels and dredging occurs regularly. The turbidity
of the water has suffered and the nearby marine aquaculture facility that farms crustaceans and
The turbidity of the water has suffered and the nearby marine aquaculture that farms various
shell fish (all of which are filter feeders) has been adversely affected. Bilge water and fuel leaks
have contributed to declining water quality in Bei Bu Gulf. Mangrove woodlands along the
foreshore have been receding as water turbidity and surface roughness has changed as large
ships manoeuvre to their respective berths. Mangroves are important in the life cycle of fish
and loss of trees makes hatchlings and small fry more susceptible to predators.
Fig. 7: Large container ships need deeper water and regular dredging creates turbidity
A LAND TRANSFORMED
Guangxi has a subtropical climate and in its undisturbed state, soils and climate com- bine to
favour a mix of trees, shrubs and understorey plants. But since the late 1970s Eucalyptus
plantations have transformed the landscape, interfering with local people’s ability to harvest
non wood forest products as “native “ trees and shrubs are replaced by monocultures of
eucalypts. Guangxi is a major area of eucalyptus plantations. The eucalyptus industry has
become the one of the dominant and specialized industries of the province, and serves as a
source of livelihood for many rural people living in Guangxi. The promotion of the industrial
development of eucalyptus plantations in Guangxi in the 20th century not only plays an
important role in the overall economic and social development of GZAR, but also has great
significance in the promotion of the sustainable development of the national timber industry
and it supports the entire scale of economic and social development of the hinterland adjoining
the coastal shelf.
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Feng, H. & Squires, V. R. (2024). Interactions Between Sociology as A Discipline and Maritime Industries and Related Pursuits with Special Reference
to The South China Sea Coast. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(5). 384-389.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.115.17064
SUMMING UP AND CONCLUSIONS
As we illustrate in this document, there are numerous points where interactions, both positive
and negative, can (and do) occur. In a rapidly changing world it is easy to lose site of the
importance of input by the sociologists. Avoidance of conflict, maintenance of stability and
harmony is more likely to be achieved if there is a more equitable sharing of the benefits that
arise from “development”.
Future research might tackle issues such as “how should we understand the intersection of
society (sens lat.) and maritime industries and related pursuits?
“How can we attribute causal significance in social matters to disaster-related events and
aftermaths? To what extent does ’society’ exacerbate problems that arise when development
benefits the many and has an adverse effect on the few?
References
Cartwright, M. 2019. The Seven Voyages of Zheng He World History Encyclopedia
(https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1334/the-seven-voyages-of-zheng-he
Feng, H & Squires V.R. 2018. Integration of Rural and Urban Society in China and Implications for Urbanization,
Infrastructure, Land and Labor in the New Era. South Asian Journal of Social Science & Economics 2(3): 1-13
Feng, H., & Squires, V. R. 2021. Urbanization in China and the Role of Social and Natural Capital in Land
Acquisition and Transfer Arrangements. Archives of Business Research, 9(12). 104-114.).
Feng, H., J. and Squires, V.2021. China Looks To ASEAN For Closer Ties, Freer Trade, And More Harmonious
Relations: A Commentary. Archives of Business Research
9(12). 91-103
Feng, H. & Squires, V. R. 2022. The temporal and spatial scales of arable land loss and its impact in Guangxi,
China: A Commentary. Advances in Social Science Research Journal 9(1):76-84
Feng, HY & Squires, V.R. 2022.Utilization of Non-Wood Forest Products as a Basis for Poverty Alleviation and
Sustainable Community Development in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of South China. Advances in Social
Sciences Research Journal 9:43-56
Feng, H.; Zhu, L.; Wu, J., and Squires, V.R., 2023. A review of disaster risk assessment and mitigation in vulnerable
coastal communities: An example from the South China Sea coast. Journal of Coastal Research, 39(2), 328–333.