Spending time in China was truly a wonderful experience, allowing me to see first-hand how this nation of hardworking and dedicated people has transformed into one of the world’s leading economies.
Its history clearly demonstrates that its success mainly comes from resilience and a strong focus on science, technology and innovation — these closely linked processes foster development by tackling humanity's complex challenges. It's no surprise that China uses them in its ongoing efforts to find solutions that genuinely support its development goals.
Its post-school education system has been reimagined to play a much bigger and more meaningful role in society. A key part of this progress is its university system, which has grown significantly over the past 75 years, focusing on practical and valuable learning, complemented by strategic partnerships with vital sectors of the economy.
Beijing Jiaotong University, which hosted my study sojourn, is a prime example of how nurturing strategic collaborations can significantly enhance the capabilities essential for economic growth and development. Supported by the ministry of education, this university collaborates closely with notable partners, including China Railway Corporation and the Beijing municipal government, to enhance its research and academic capabilities. This collaboration is vital for generating valuable knowledge.
The Collaborative Innovation Centre for Rail Transit Safety, one of the first 14 centres approved by the Chinese government for the 2011 National Projects, exemplifies how collaboration can boost the nation’s innovative capacity — a valuable lesson in building a sustainable government-industry-university ecosystem for growth and innovation.
Shenzhen and Zhongquancun are examples of what this ecosystem can achieve. These are tech powerhouses formed through partnerships between universities and research centres to strengthen China’s innovation and manufacturing capacity. The Chinese government has spearheaded the development of these tech hubs, often referred to as their equivalent of Silicon Valley.
While much of my stay was spent in Beijing, I also had the opportunity to explore the vibrant cities of Shanghai and Kunming. I also enjoyed visiting several museums, where I learnt about China’s fascinating history of economic growth and development. It was truly inspiring to see how the country has blossomed into one of the world's leading economies, with its cities shining as bright symbols of progress and hope. And yes, just to brag a bit, I reached the top of the Great Wall of China — fortress 12. Since 1987, the Great Wall of China has been recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site, built over centuries by various dynasties to safeguard the people from nomadic tribes. It really captures the resilience and spirit of the Chinese people.
Shanghai, China’s economic gateway, has become a centre for science and innovation. This is a fascinating concept for reimagining cities not only as centres for economic activity, but also as hubs for research & development. In Kunming, the lively capital of Yunnan Province in Southwest China, I found a city filled with warmth and charm that beautifully blends modern comforts with breathtaking natural scenery. Known for its gentle, mild climate, summers stay cool, and the weather feels delightfully spring-like all year round, which is why Kunming is affectionately called the “City of Eternal Spring”. Its strategic location near Southeast Asian borders makes it an important transportation hub, with rail links to Vietnam and road connections to Burma and Laos. Kunming's geographical location enhances its role as a bustling trading centre and a wonderful place for travellers to explore. The city exemplifies how embracing both modernity and natural beauty can boost economic growth, providing a compelling example for South Africa, with its stunning scenery and natural treasures.
My experiences learning in China have truly inspired me, especially seeing how science and innovation are vital drivers of economic growth and progress. I‘ve shared this before, but it's worth highlighting again that innovation really thrives through dedicated research & development (R&D), especially when collaboration is wholeheartedly embraced. Thanks to its innovative collaboration centres, China has achieved remarkable milestones in its development journey. Its investment in R&D, which accounts for 2.68% of its GDP, makes it the second-largest spender in this area. This reflects its strong commitment and visionary approach, which are essential parts of its strategy to lead in technology and innovation. It gives the US goose bumps. A nation leading in technology will also be the one that shapes the future of the global political economy; hence, the tech war between these countries. However, some suggest that, on the technological front, China has won.
At the core of China’s success is science, technology and innovation. Harnessing these boosts a nation’s capacity for innovation. This is an important lesson for South Africa.
It is also making great strides in other exciting areas of innovation. The goal is to have a space solar power station up and running by 2050, which is a thrilling milestone for the next quarter-century. Building on research showing that solar panels in space can catch significantly more sunlight than those on Earth, this project proposes using microwave beams to send energy down, offering a dependable and eco-friendly power source. Small-scale experiments have already successfully tested this concept, and China is making impressive progress with this innovative approach — an inspiring development that could reshape the future of energy. At the core of China’s success is science, technology and innovation. Harnessing these boosts a nation’s capacity for innovation. This is an important lesson for South Africa.
With focused, strategic and resilient efforts, it can replicate some of China's successes, especially in its Gauteng province, which boasts five universities and various science councils, including the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). Building strong strategic partnerships among these institutions, with support from the departments of higher education and science and technology, can significantly boost South Africa’s research & development efforts, tailored to meet the country's unique needs.
The cities of Tshwane and Joburg have the potential to become dynamic hubs for science and innovation. They could even rival Shanghai as top innovation hotspots, if South Africa can harness its resources and discover new opportunities for growth, including creating its own Shenzhen and Zhongguancun. These are tech hubs in China that have been fostered through partnerships between universities and research centres. South Africa has some innovation hubs, but they are not yet as dynamic as those in China. I believe the Chinese offer valuable lessons on how we can reimagine our innovation hubs as powerful engines to support economic growth and prosperity.
* Mashupye Maserumule is executive dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the Tshwane University of Technology. He has just returned from China where he was on a study sojourn. He writes in his personal capacity.
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