China produces a vast number of STEM graduates, but it hasn’t been known for innovation. Cultural and political factors may help explain why.
As Chinese commenters online basked in Americans’ shocked reactions, some pointed to the high number of science Ph.D.s that China produces annually. “DeepSeek’s success proves that our education is awesome,” read one blog post’s headline.
Yes, China has invested heavily in education, especially in science and technology, which has helped nurture a significant pool of talent, key to its ambition of becoming a world leader in A.I. by 2025.
But outside of the classroom, those graduates must also contend with obstacles that include a grinding corporate culture and the political whims of the ruling Communist Party.
Some have criticized China’s educational system as overly exam-oriented and stifling to creativity and innovation.
Nice soothing lies we tell ourselves.
Counterpoint:
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere.
China kicks *ss in number of patents:
Also we should look at China progress in EVs. Polished high tech EVs and vast expansion worldwide.
Yes China EV maker have received subsidies. So has US EV makers. Tesla has received subsidies from both US & China.
China has a serve demographic problem and real estate problem.
But the death knell of China is premature as illustrated in my previous post:
Much which is in our main stream media has to be taken with a grain of salt.
Here are the original links so you may decide whether my statement “Much which is in our main stream media has to be taken with a grain of salt.” is truthful.
Also we should look at China progress in EVs. Polished high tech EVs and vast expansion worldwide.
Yes China EV maker have received subsidies. So has US EV makers. Tesla has received subsidies from both US & China.
China has a serve demographic problem and real estate problem.
But the death knell of China is premature as illustrated in my previous post:
areas, and in many others Chinese firms will likely equal or surpass Western firms within a decade or so.
China leads or is on par with global leaders in commercial nuclear power and electric vehicles and batteries. It lags behind for now in other key sectors, including robotics, biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, and AI. But it is making rapid progress.
The combination of low costs and growing innovation capability make an increasing number of Chinese companies formidable global competitors.
This rapid innovation progress stems from the Chinese Communist Party’s determined effort to dominate global markets in a host of advanced industries.
While the Chinese innovation system is not perfect, it is much stronger than previously understood—and there are many aspects of it the United States should emulate.
