Korban, A.1 Li, L. M.2
1. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China;
2. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources
Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3974/geodp.2023.04.12
CSTR: https://cstr.escience.org.cn/CSTR:20146.99.2023.04.12
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Figure 1 The 40th symposium
of capacity building in 100
Universities/Towns on Geographical Big Data
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On October 20, 2023, the 40th symposium
of the “Geographic Big Data Broadcasting Across 100 Schools (Townships)” with
the theme of “Brand Protection and Application of Korla Fragrant Pear” was
successfully held in Awat township, Korla city, Bayingol Mongolian autonomous
prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The event was jointly organized
by the Geographical Society of China and the Institute of Geographic Sciences
and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and co-hosted by
the People’s Government of Awat township, Korla city, and the Bureau of Science
and Technology of Korla city. The conference focused on proposing technological
solutions to the practical problems existing in the protection and application
of the Korla Fragrant Pear brand.
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Figure 2 Awat township—the home of Korla pear
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The conference was chaired by Hou, Jianzhu, Deputy
Secretary of the Party Group and Director of the Bureau
of Science and Technology of Korla city. The reports were delivered by Prof. Gui,
Dongwei, from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, and Chief Expert of the Science and Technology Service Team for
Landmark Habitats of China—Korla Fragrant Pear Kongque River Oasis Case, and Prof.
Liu, Chuang, from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources
Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Vice Chairman of the Asia-Pacific
Regional Organization of “One Country, One Product” under the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Ayniwal Aisha, the director of
the People’s Congress of Awat township, also delivered a report.
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Figure 3 Pear blossoms of Korla Fragrant Pear
during the Pear Festival
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Figure
4 Korla pear in
harvest season
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Prof. Gui, Dongwei’s report
was titled “Awat Township Case of Korla Fragrant Pear Kongque River Oasis”. He presented
a case study conducted in Awat township, Korla city, as a typical research
area. He highlighted that the Korla Fragrant Pear Kongque River Oasis case, as
the 14th case of Geographical Indications Environment & Sustainability, and
the first case in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has unique environmental
and quality advantages. He explained from a scientific perspective that the
oasis nurtured by the Kongque River, one of the main tributaries of the Tarim
River, has unparalleled advantages in soil, water quality, climate, and
topography. Korla Fragrant Pear has a history of cultivation in Awat township
for hundreds of years, and its varieties are well-suited to the unique
geographical conditions of Awat township. The method of origin tracing of Korla
Fragrant Pear supported by geographic big data and Internet of Things
technologies can greatly reduce and detect counterfeit products in the market.
Figure
5 The notice board
of Korla Xiangpear Kongqi River Oasis case
Prof. Liu, Chuang pointed out at the
conference that Korla Fragrant Pear was listed in the first batch of the “China-Europe
Geographic Indication Product Agreement” in 2021, and its brand value has been
increasing year by year, which is a precious asset of the original production
area of Korla Fragrant Pear. Protecting and utilizing the brand of Korla
Fragrant Pear is an important task for rural revitalization and high-quality
development in the production area of Korla Fragrant Pear.
As a geographical indication product
approved by the state, the geographical distribution of Korla Fragrant Pear is
not limited to Korla city. In addition to Korla city, the region includes three
cities and seven counties such as Aksu city, Alar city, Yuli county, Luntai county,
Kuche city, Shayar county, Xinhe county, Awat county, and Wensu county,
covering an area of over 180,000 km2. In this vast area, there are
significant differences in geographical conditions, such as north-south span,
east-west span, altitude span, and seasonal variations in climate, which have a
certain degree of confusion for market management and consumer orientation of
pears. In order to ensure the origin tracing of Korla Fragrant Pear, the
inclusion of geographic technology has become the most important means on the
basis of legal protection and utilization of the brand of Korla Fragrant Pear.
She pointed out that in September 2021, the
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese
Academy of Science, the Geographical Society of China, and other units took the
lead in launching the “Geographical Indications for Environment &
Sustainability 2021–2030 (GIES)” at the China International Fair for Trade in
Services (CIFTIS), which was later included in the Innovation China. In 2022,
the Korla Fragrant Pear Kongque River Oasis case was included in Geographical
Indications Environment & Sustainability (GIES）. The specific plan is to use Awat township
as an example to differentiate pears from different geographical regions based
on differences in geographical conditions, laying the foundation for the origin
tracing of pears and providing scientific basis. This is an important link that
cannot be ignored in protecting the brand of Korla Fragrant Pear.
Ayniwal Aisha, director of the People’s
Congress of Awat township, emphasized at the conference that as the first
township of Chinese pears, the People’s Government and enterprises of Awat township
should recognize the value of geographical indication products and have the
responsibility to protect and utilize this brand. Enterprises should ensure
that the production process of Korla Fragrant Pear meets the standard
requirements to ensure its quality. At the same time, with technological
support, establishing a product tracing system will allow consumers to trace
the production, processing, and sales of Korla Fragrant Pear, ensuring that
consumers can buy authentic Korla Fragrant Pear from Awat township. This will
help promote the development of the Korla Fragrant Pear industry in Awat township
and increase farmers’ income. Meanwhile, government departments should
strengthen market supervision, crack down on counterfeit and shoddy Korla
Fragrant Pear products, and safeguard consumer rights.
Representatives of enterprises, including Liu,
Zhemin, General Manager and Shen, Zhenming, President of the Pear Association,
as well as representatives of large-scale pear growers, expressed their views
on the industrial development of Korla Fragrant Pear and the role of science
and technology in supporting rural revitalization. Everyone unanimously agreed
that technological support for the origin tracing of Korla Fragrant Pear is
crucial for the healthy development of the market, environmental protection and
sustainable development of the original production area, and the enhancement of
the brand value of Korla Fragrant Pear.
The successful holding of the “Geographic
Big Data Broadcasting across 100 Schools (Towns)” in Awat township, Korla,
effectively responded to the theme of “Brand Protection and Application of
Korla Fragrant Pear”, aiming to promote the widespread application of geography
and big data in rural revitalization and development. The successful hosting of
this conference has not only brought new development opportunities to Awat township,
Korla city, but also provided valuable experience and references for other
rural areas.
Figure 6 Group Photo of
the 40th symposium on Capacity Building in 100 Universities/Towns on Geographical
Big Data