Chongming islanders in great Shanghai: an investigation of cultural ecology
ZHU Shangje (translated by ZHU Qiaolian)
ABSTRACT The present study investigates the living conditions of taxi drivers in Sanshan Village of Chongming Island, in contrast with those of the long-lived population, a distinct demographic group on Chongming Island as well as in China, whose natural and healthy lifestyles represent a culture of sustainability of people and society. It examines the contributing factors and implications of this culture; such understanding is strongly relevant in the attempt to ease people’s anxiety about the environmental crisis facing China now. At the same time, a study of Chongming Island, a representative case of China’s urbanization, makes it possible for us to weigh in this development path, with a hope to explore and construct a sound relationship between China’s urban and rural areas. In addition, we can gain an insight of the way of life of present-day society through a closer look at “Chongming Islanders in Great Shanghai.” The issue of Chongming Island is therefore of great importance to contemporary Chinese culture.
KEYWORDS: Chongming Islanders; culture; urban; rural
Notes on contributor
Zhu, Shanjie is Associate Research Fellow of Department of Cultural Studies, College of Liberal Arts, Shanghai University. Research interests: Contemporary Rural and Urban Studies.
Notes on translator
Zhu, Qiaolian is Associate Professor of School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai University. Research interests: Translation and Interpreting Studies.