Despite ongoing U.S. sanctions aimed at hindering China’s technological progress, companies like Huawei are proving that obstacles can become catalysts for innovation.
On Tuesday, Huawei is set to launch its Mate70 smartphone series, showcasing its advancements in self-sufficient chip technology. The company has also developed HarmonyOS Next, a fully homegrown operating system, positioning itself alongside tech giants like Apple and Google.
Industry reports highlight Huawei’s resilience. The Financial Times noted that U.S. sanctions intended to weaken the company have instead solidified Huawei’s status as a technological powerhouse. In the first nine months of this year, Huawei reported a 30% surge in sales compared to the same period last year. Additionally, their original HarmonyOS has already operated on one billion devices globally.
China’s commitment to innovation extends beyond Huawei. In 2023, China’s research and development expenditure surpassed 3.3 trillion yuan ($458.5 billion), marking an 8.1% increase from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. The 2023 Nature Index revealed that China now ranks first in the share of papers published in high-quality scientific journals, overtaking the United States for the first time.
These achievements suggest that U.S. efforts to curb China’s technological ascent may be having the opposite effect. Instead of stifling progress, sanctions appear to be driving China to invest more heavily in domestic innovation and self-reliance.
Huawei’s founder and CEO, Ren Zhengfei, emphasized the importance of openness and inclusivity in technological advancement. Speaking at an event last month, he praised the U.S. tech community for its receptive culture and highlighted the need for learning and cooperation. “If a country is closed off, it will fall behind,” Ren stated.
While challenges remain, China’s rapid progress in technology indicates that it is closing the gap with other advanced economies. As the global landscape evolves, collaboration and openness may prove more effective than isolation in driving innovation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
