Volume 60

Against the backdrop of globalization and the complex relationship between the Chinese and American film industries, integrating Chinese elements into Hollywood science fiction films has drawn significant attention. This study focuses on the perspective of cross-cultural communication. It takes 15 Chinese audiences who have watched relevant films as the research objects, uses the semi-structured interview method, and combines the Uses and Gratifications Theory and Acculturation Theory for research. The results show that the presentation of Chinese elements in American science fiction films is complex and diverse. The integration of characters shows a polarized trend. The integration of scenes enhances the effect by combining real and artistic scenes. Technology integration showcases China’s scientific and technological achievements and promotes the plot. At the same time, the presentation effect of Chinese elements affects the emotional response and cultural identity of the audience. A positive presentation can enhance the communication effect, while a negative one can hinder it. This study provides empirical support for the development of cross-cultural communication theories and also offers references for film producers.

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Education is a cornerstone of labor market success, shaping wage levels, job security, and access to diverse income opportunities. This research examines how educational achievement influences the probability of working at minimum wage throughout US states between 2010 to 2021 while studying how education combines with state minimum wage regulations. This analysis uses Current Population Survey data as well as national economic indicators and Integrated Public Use Microdata Series to calculate the difference-in-differences effects with state-year fixed components for analyzing educational impacts on minimum wage standards. Labor statistics show that raising the average years of education decreases minimum wage employment by 0.18 percentage points specifically in states where educational levels are higher after implementing higher minimum wages. The impact of education levels on employment faces crucial modification through state-level labor policies, thereby demonstrating the necessity for combined educational programs and wage reform initiatives. The findings help policymakers distinguish minimum wage employees from other workers while recommending vocational instruction with accessibility to education as a method for boosting socioeconomic opportunities for vulnerable groups.

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A growing number of native Chinese speakers are enrolling in Japanese language programs, rendering the acquisition of Japanese pitch accent a significant topic in linguistics. Despite extensive research on the perception and production of devoiced vowels, studies on Chinese learners’ perception and production of Japanese pitch accent remain limited. This study examines the perception and production of three-mora Japanese word sequences with devoiced vowels by Chinese native learners of Japanese. The results reveal that learners made fewer perceptual than articulatory errors, who tend to pronounce P0 as P3 and P1 as rising-falling type. Further analysis indicates that compared to native speakers, there is no significant difference in the pronunciation of P0, while the pitch frequency difference for P1 is smaller and for P2, it is larger. In terms of perception, learners are able to recognize the most natural pitch differences, but the perceptual difference for P0 is smaller. Moreover, no significant correlation is found between pitch accent perception and pronunciation in these sequences.

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This scoping review explores the phenomenon of the "motherhood penalty" in China, a growing issue within the global gender equality discourse. The motherhood penalty refers to the wage and career disadvantages that women experience in the labor market due to their roles as mothers. Despite global research on this topic, limited studies have examined the specific manifestations and influencing factors of the motherhood penalty in China. This review aims to fill this gap by synthesizing 24 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2024, primarily utilizing quantitative methods. The review follows Arksey and O'Malley's five-step framework to analyze the studies. The review identifies four main manifestations of the motherhood penalty in China: lower income, labor force participation and career interruptions, and restricted career development. Moreover, it examines key factors that contribute to these penalties, including family structure, education, workplace sector, intergenerational support, gender norms, and policy. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on the motherhood penalty in China, highlighting the need for future research and policy intervention to address the issue.

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China is facing an increasingly serious problem of urban shrinkage, which is embodied in the long-term massive population loss in the northeast and the short-term small population loss in the East. By comparing the characteristics of cities from several dimensions and referring to some successful cases of preventing urban shrinkage, this paper explores urban shrinkage in two different regions and development models within China. Two typical shrinkage cities, Wenzhou and Jixi, are selected as samples for this study, while statistical analyses are conducted with the help of public government information data. The result of this research is that due to varying city development patterns, Wenzhou and Jixi exhibit distinct types of shrinkage. There are different solutions for different types of urban shrinkage. Both cities should actively explore new industries and upgrade existing ones to enhance livability and community vitality, meeting residents' needs for better lives and achieving a win-win outcome.

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