Breakthroughs needed for innovations

Products made in China are still labeled with cheapness, imitation and low quality in international markets. Why the Chinese are still lagging in innovation against the background that independent innovation has been highlighted and promoted by the Chinese government for so many years? It is with a heavy heart that one observes how few Chinese brands have won worldwide visibility. In order to gain the slender profit at the bottom of the value chain, huge resources were consumed in China as many mainland enterprises can only engage in original equipment manufacture (OEM) for international brands like Apple.

I believe that the cause of lacking innovation lies not only in the fact that the Chinese are not versed in innovation, but also in the problem of the existing "unwillingness" and "disallowance" in the innovation process.

The problem of being not good at innovation reflects the Chinese custom and competence, which are rooted in China's complicated historical and cultural background. In traditional Chinese thoughts, one should strictly follow their ancestors' or saints' words and instructions, which in turn hindered the countrymen's curiosity and the ability for original thinking. When facing new problems, we are used to seeking solutions through reinterpreting classics. Scientific approach needs emphasis on precision while many Chinese are just satisfied with "almost the same". Another restricting factor is China's rigid education system, with its focus on higher marks in examination while neglecting to cultivate students' sense of originality and divergent thinking ability.