Decoding secrets of China’s independent innovationInternational competition is not only reflected in the economy, but also in science andtechnology. The successful moon landing of Chang'e-3, China’s lunar probe, has providedgreat inspiration to the Chinese people’s self image and has also boosted national pride andprestige.
After more than 60 years of development dating back to the founding of the People’sRepublic of China, China has established a path to independent innovation with its owncharacteristics, and has become one of the leading nations in science and technology. Chinais now gradually narrowing the gap with the U.S.
What is China’s path to independent innovation?
China has implemented various science and technology strategies at different stages of thecountry's development: developing China via science and technology; rejuvenating thenation through science and technology; strengthening China by science and technology(also termed innovation-driven development). On the road to the global technologyrevolution, China is one of the few countries implementing independent innovation policies.
In addition, China has adopted different policies at different times: taking the path of self-reliance; opening-up to the outside world; independent innovation; re-innovation based onprimary innovation.
Furthermore, China’s science and technology system has undergone several changes. Inrecent decades, China has enhanced its competitiveness through purchasing andintroducing technology from abroad, through post-deployment re-engineering, andthrough introducing and improving independent innovation capability.
From 1949 to 1959, China imported technology mainly from the Soviet Union and beganthe first stages of developing its own technological capability.
Between 1960 and 1965 the Soviet Union interrupted technical assistance and exports toChina, and China began to strengthen its independent development capability, targeted atcatching up with advanced technology.
From 1966 to 1976, the Cultural Revolution greatly weakened China's independenttechnical ability. Although China began to reintroduce technology from Western countriesafter 1972, there remained a substantial gap with developed countries.
From 1977, China began large-scale introduction of foreign technology, but at the sametime decreased its input in research and development.
On entering the 21st century, and especially after joining the World Trade Organization,China began a significant expansion to its capacity to introduce technology, and inparticular to its capacity for re-innovation. Most importantly, China has greatlystrengthened its capacity for independent technical innovation, and has begun to catch upwith the developed countries. In many areas, China now keeps pace with advancedinternational technology.
Therefore, whether with reference to the past or in visioning the future, whether in thedomestic Chinese context or in the environment of the wider world, China must embark ona road to independent innovation.
The author is Hu Angang, director of the Research Center for Contemporary China atTsinghua University. （Editor：ZhangQian、Chen Lidan） Related readingFull coverage
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