ChinaTalk How Local Bureaucrats Helped Create Chinese Tech Giants
May 30, 2019
Ling Chen, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins and author of "Manipulating Globalization," dives into the fascinating transformation of Shenzhen from a fishing village into a tech powerhouse. She explores why local bureaucrats played a crucial role in attracting investment, contrasting Shenzhen’s success with Suzhou’s stagnation. Chen discusses the complexities of China’s industrial policy evolution and how bureaucratic influences shape innovation. Her insights reveal essential lessons for understanding the dynamics of Chinese firms within the global value chain.
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Contrasting Teaching Styles
- Ling Chen contrasted the teaching styles of Peking University and Western institutions.
- Peking University focused on guiding students on how to interpret the world, while Western institutions emphasized causal explanations and independent thinking.
Compact's Suzhou Switch
- Compact initially planned to locate in Shanghai but switched to Suzhou due to a better deal.
- This highlights the intense competition between Chinese cities to attract foreign investment.
Shift to Domestic Innovation
- The shift towards domestic innovation arose from concerns about over-reliance on foreign technology and the need for industrial upgrading.
- Policymakers and scholars worried that China was merely a cheap manufacturing base.
