The Global Significance of China’s Technological Development

Today, the world is undergoing extremely rapid and profound changes.

The Two Sessions held each March in Beijing, namely the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), provide an excellent opportunity to review the changes taking place in the world, reflect on the path China has taken, its achievements and challenges, and evaluate future steps.

Looking back at China’s development over the past four decades, we must acknowledge the achievements it has made.

China’s tremendous development since the early 1980s, starting with the policy of opening up and reform, and especially over the past 15 years, has earned widespread recognition worldwide. China has emerged from the ranks of developing countries and joined the group of developed nations. Today, we can confidently say that China has set an example for poor but development-oriented countries around the world, demonstrating that it is possible to significantly improve the living standards of the population within a few decades. Through rapid technological development, new factories based on advanced technologies and techniques  have sprung up. In the field of research and development, internationally recognized achievements have been made. All of this rapid development has taken into account environmental protection considerations. Air quality has improved and vast green areas have been created. The scope of poverty has gradually narrowed and the lives of rural populations have also improved. Through research and development and the application of modern technologies, China is increasingly able to compete with countries such as the U.S., Japan or Germany. In the near future, the goal of achieving longer and healthier lives will gradually be realized.

All these achievements have been realized under social conditions based on stability, reliability, and predictability. Forward-looking thinking, solid planning and appropriate actions have led to these results. Especially in the past three years, the pace of development has accelerated and significant achievements have been made. Breakthroughs have occurred in many areas of science and technology.

China’s strategy and have achieved outstanding success, earning global recognition.

China’s production of fourth-generation nuclear plants has begun and it has achieved a leading position globally in high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear technology. This has been achieved through exemplary cooperation between research institutions, universities and manufacturing plants.

Rapid development and significant achievements are evident in space research, the construction and operation of space stations. In this field, China holds its own in international competition.

It is well known that in the information age, computer chips play a central role. In this area, China has also begun to apply new technologies.

In agriculture, Chinese science has achieved important research results in addressing globally significant issues, such as the damage caused by increasing salinization. A major global problem is ensuring that the negative effects of increasing chemical use do not lead to food security issues. Significant progress has also been made in this area.

In addition to its significant advantage in research and development investment, China, with its large population and vast territory, is well-positioned to test new technologies and new technological productivity, including in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. It is important to emphasize China’s conscious policy of strongly encouraging Chinese youth to acquire the most advanced knowledge, both domestically and abroad, and to apply this knowledge most effectively in China.

I would particularly like to emphasize how China uses the development of science and technology for the benefit of its people.

I am deeply convinced that the meaning of technological development can only be to promote a better life for people and to serve them continuously. The Chinese leadership has never lost sight of this fundamental principle. Although China’s social model cannot be directly replicated in Western Europe or the U.S., China has never sought to export its system, unlike America. However, China’s experiences have always been available for others to learn from.

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that there are two major powers in the world: the United States and China. In this competition, China’s developmental dynamism has brought extraordinary achievements. In many specialized fields, China has reached or even surpassed the achievements of the United States. Peaceful competition between the two major powers is of great importance to humanity and can contribute to global development.

In addition to goodwill and hard work, it is necessary for the two major powers to compete without hostility and even cooperate in certain areas. Today, when there are dangerous war hotspots in many parts of the world, the world is in great need of balanced power relations. This is especially true considering the unconventional democratic views, ever-changing world political doctrines and sometimes aggressive policies of the new U.S. administration. Only under peaceful conditions can the fruits of technological development truly be used for the benefit of humanity. This should be the theme of world politics in the coming period.

The author is former prime minister of Hungary and a member of the InterAction Council.