China’s rise shows prosperity without Western liberalism, growth from state–market fusion, and tech modernity without alignment—proof modernity is plural.
China’s first homegrown third-generation (3G) wireless telecom standard, TD-SCDMA (Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access), marked a strategic shift in the country’s telecommunications landscape. Prior to TD-SCDMA, China relied on foreign standards such as WCDMA from Europe and CDMA2000 from the United States. By developing its own 3G standard, China gained greater control over key … Read more
TD-SCDMA (Time Division–Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) was China’s domestically developed 3G mobile communication standard, created in the early 2000s as part of a national effort to strengthen technological self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign firms such as Qualcomm, Nokia, and Ericsson. Though it never achieved global dominance, TD-SCDMA represented a pivotal experiment in China’s … Read more
In the manufacturing sector, labor costs are only one aspect of competitiveness, and their relative importance varies across different industries. What truly determines manufacturing strength is the overall landed cost, which depends on a combination of factors such as workforce quality, infrastructure— including power supply and transportation— and the availability of upstream and downstream industrial … Read more
This essay traces China’s remarkable journey from wartime struggle to technological leadership, exploring the interplay of individual brilliance, patriotic commitment, and systemic innovation. It highlights the pioneering contributions of scientists such as Deng Jiaxian, and Tsien Hsue-shen, examines the evolution of China’s state-driven innovation model, and contrasts it with Western approaches shaped by market-driven priorities. … Read more
Over the 20th century, the United States led the world in technological innovation, driven in large part by industrial research laboratories such as Bell Labs, Xerox PARC, and IBM Research. These institutions combined long-term vision, interdisciplinary collaboration, and stable funding to produce breakthroughs that transformed industries and everyday life. Today, however, the landscape of innovation … Read more
This comparison links Bell Labs’ model with China’s land-finance-backed industrial strategy, showing how both employ strategic risk and investment in core industries to secure long-term dominance. Bell Labs achieved technological leadership by investing heavily in foundational R&D, accepting high upfront costs and uncertain returns to drive breakthroughs. Similarly, China channels land-sale revenues into strategic sectors, … Read more
The United States adopts a notably absolutist interpretation of certain civil liberties, particularly the right to free speech, compared with many other democracies. While other nations often balance individual rights against considerations such as public order, human dignity, or social harmony—for example, Germany prohibits Nazi propaganda—the U.S. approach largely rejects such restrictions. This model rests … Read more
The “America decline theory” claims the U.S. is in irreversible decline, but this is largely a myth. While concerns rise amid economic or political setbacks, history shows the U.S. recovers from crises. Often exaggerated, “decline” is relative—especially compared to rising powers like China—while ignoring U.S. strengths in innovation, military, and soft power. Political motives also … Read more
China’s state-led capitalism follows a unique trajectory that differs from the conventional Western notion of modernization, particularly the framework associated with the “Washington Consensus.” While the Western model emphasizes market liberalization and limited government involvement, China’s approach adopts a hybrid system that combines market forces with proactive state direction. This model allows China to harness … Read more
Apple cancelled its decade-long effort to build an electric car in 2024, ending years of speculation without ever bringing a vehicle to market. In contrast, Chinese companies such as Xiaomi—already a major player in consumer electronics, software, and online services—are not only producing electric vehicles(EV) but selling them at scale. This contrast underscores a broader … Read more