The possibility that China will provide a definitive edge in technologies vital to 21st-century success makes the West anxious
rise, brought about by an authoritarian state actively guiding a market-oriented industrial base with access to global supply lines, is unlike anything in history. That does not necessarily make it unstoppable, or world-beating. But the possibility that it will provide a definitive edge in technologies vital to 21st-century success makes the West anxious.
It is true that China has shown that a determined state can do much to accelerate the appropriation, diffusion, development and large-scale implementation of new technology and technology from elsewhere. It is also true that the processes by which it does so can be damaging—the state can misallocate resources, follow foolish fashions, refuse to accept that it is barking up the wrong tree. Patronage lends itself to corruption. China shows all these failings and more.
Some suggest that the world could divide into techno-camps, with the current system in which most technology spreads globally unpicked—“decoupled”—into competing systems, one controlled by America, another by China. This would be very hard to bring about. Published research, patents, people, contracts, supply chains and technical standards all link Chinese technology to that which underpins all the other advanced economies—and vice versa.
One reason not to fear imminent decoupling is that, even at its most successful, China’s model of technological development can proceed only so fast. When a technology is complex and expensive, progress is slow, as is shown in the manufacture of semiconductors. Even assuming you know how to build and run a cutting-edge chip factory, it takes tens of billions of dollars to do so.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Interesting Poll Shows Hong Kongers Not Exactly Against ChinaApparently, Hong Kongers not fully against China.
Read more »
China Pauses U.K. Listings ProjectBeijing has halted a high-profile project letting Chinese companies list in London, people familiar with the matter said, in a move that could signal chillier financial relations with Britain.
Read more »
Satellite images show China demolished more than 100 Uyghur cemeteries, most over past two yearsThe Chinese government have not denied that they moved or destroyed the cemeteries.
Read more »
Exclusive: China to stick with inflation target of around 3% in 2020 - sourcesChina plans to keep its inflation target at around 3% in 2020, unchanged from la...
Read more »