Innovation with Chinese Characteristics

Abstract

The curiosity of mankind started with an apple. Without curiosity there is no innovation. Humankind was tied to the apple when Eve picked the first one. Humankind was full of lust, curiosity, and a strong desire to open the door to a new world. Another apple hit the head of a wise man, Isaac Newton, who was very keen to explore the unknown world. The apple led him to provide a summary of the operational law of the world—people knew the what, but not the why of the nature. The third apple fell into the hands of Steve Jobs, who designed an entirely new world for people to know. However, where is the fourth apple? Perhaps with China— a powerhouse of innovation, which outperforms many economies and major countries in the world. The British prime minister, David Cameron, recently commented on China’s innovation and development. He said that China’s transformation is one of the defining facts of the world. The pace and scale of the economic development and urbanization dwarfs the Industrial Revolution that occurred two centuries ago.

Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters? Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?

Analects of Confucius