DAWN TV telecast a very interesting documentary recently about developments in technology that have taken place in China that can benefit Pakistan.
From what I could gather, the programme`s gist was that Pakistan can progress andprospereven quickerifit whole-heartedly adopts Chinese technological advances. The documentary gave an extensive overview of the far reaching advances in different scientific and technological fields in the last five years under President Xi Jinping`s leadership. China has become a global innovation powerhouse thanks to its improved education quality, input in research and development and the government support to innovation.I visited China twice in March and August this year and know for a fact that Dawn`s documentary was spot-on in its coverage and comments. I found that our great friend China is changing its current economic model of `made-in China` to `created in China`. The Chinese government has dedicated itself to the modernisation of all economic sectors.
China`s Research and Development expenditure rose 52.2 per cent from 2012 to 2016 and touched 1.57 trillion yuan. Its GDP expanded at an average of 7.2 per cent during 2013-2016. An amazing achievement indeed.
The Chinese tech and e-commerce giant Alibaba surpassed its US counterpart Amazon, as the world`s biggest e-commerce company when it touched $470 billion in market value.
China still lags behind Japan and South Korea in many innovation-driven sectors but the gaps are fast disappearing.
The 19th Communist Party of China National Congress, held in Beijing in October, has further strengthened President Xi Jinping`s power and prestige and China is ready for further achievements. Pakistan should realise this opportunity.
Let the latest technology from China, our greatest friend, propel the lives of the Pakistani people to prosperity.
