Smartphones are just a microcosm of China’s wisdom

“Compared with other developing countries, China may be the only country that has developed from a 'research-based economy' to an economy with independent R&D and innovation capabilities.” Recently, the famous German economist and the tenured professor of economic theory at the University of Frankfurt Ram Schaeffler expressed his opinion.

"Imitation-absorption-innovation" has historically been regarded as the most convenient mode for developing countries to learn and catch up with developed countries. Then, at the dawn of the “Industry 4.0” era, how should China seize the opportunity of history and truly achieve a leap from “a big industrial country” to an “strong industrial country,” and be more competitive in international competition?

From "taking in" to independent research and development

In mid-March, the reporter who had just got off the plane and boarded the bus in Kubang, East Indonesia, the easternmost province of Indonesia, was attracted by a huge OPPO billboard. In this quiet seaside city, Chinese smart phone stores and advertisements can be seen everywhere. A few days later the reporter came to the Philippines and he felt the same way. At SM Mall of Asia, the largest mall in the capital, Manila, there are endless customers at counters of Chinese brands such as Huawei, Lenovo and OPPO. Asia store clerk told reporters that China's mobile phone is "very good." Compared with international brands such as Apple and Samsung, China's smart phones have low prices, smooth systems, and good quality. They are being welcomed by local customers with high cost performance.

Smart phones are just a microcosm of "China's intellectual creation." Less than 10 years ago, China's manufacturing represented by mobile phones was also plagued by the label of Shanzhai for a long time. The report of the UN agency, World Intellectual Property Organization, on March 19th showed that in 2014, China’s Huawei was a global player. ZTE ranked third among companies that applied for the most international patents. In the past 2014, China’s national patent applications also ranked first in the world.

The high-speed rail, aerospace, etc., which are hailed as "China's new business card," are based on good performance-to-price ratio, excellent and stable performance, and have played a "China bright color" in the world's equipment manufacturing industry. We must know that in these areas, China has imitated and absorbed the technologies of Germany, Japan, Russia, the United States, and other countries, and digested and absorbed them, and finally it has the fruits of independent intellectual property rights.

It is this kind of performance that makes the Economist optimistic about China. The magazine’s cover report on March 14 stated that many people take it for granted that at a certain time, China will give up manufacturing batons to other countries due to lack of stamina, so that everyone can take turns to create prosperity; but the facts On the contrary, "China has tightened the 'bracket' more tightly."

This year’s government work report, the concept of “Made in China 2025” sparked heated discussions. On March 25, the executive meeting of the State Council pointed out that the implementation of this strategy will promote China's manufacturing industry to become stronger and stronger, so that China's manufacturing will include more Chinese creative factors, rely more on Chinese equipment, rely on Chinese brands, and promote the economy to maintain high-speed growth. It is of great significance to move toward the high-end level.

China must "self come"

“If China really wants to be a country full of economic vigor, it must encourage innovation. China has to give up the practice of mimicking the West and must 'own it'. This is an inevitable and natural process that can transform China. For an innovative economy, the economy will rely more on domestic innovation industries and rely more on the creativity of individuals and private companies, said Edmund Phelps, Nobel Prize winner in economics.

From the cottage-style “acquisitionism” to “self”, it not only possesses the national strategic significance of technological independence, but also has the practical significance of increasing the technological content and added value of China's manufacturing industry and enhancing international competitiveness. In fact, in the areas of automobiles, smart chips, and clean energy technologies, the technological gap between China and the international community still exists. To truly realize “China’s intellectual creation”, it is still “a long way to go”.

Therefore, the 25th State Council Executive Meeting proposed that it should follow the development trend of “Internet+” and focus on the development of a new generation of information technology, high-end CNC machine tools and robots, aerospace equipment, and marine engineering. Equipment and new technologies in high-tech ships, advanced rail transit equipment, energy-saving and new energy vehicles.

“Everyone knows that we now have a lot of things that are foreign, but new opportunities have come. Regardless of the technology, business model, or organizational model, in the new round of industrial revolution, we have come to a new starting point and we need to be innovative. Our country has always insisted on innovation-driven, and only in this way can we achieve a swift development of the economy.” In an interview with the reporter, Xiong Qunli, chairman of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, said.