Illusion of modernity

Every once in a while, there is talk to discuss when this country will traverse the threshold for modernization, and they seldom fail to make a splash.

A recent statement claiming that the dream will be fulfilled a decade or so ahead of schedule to make China a "moderately developed country" around 2040 excited many. The latest Chinese Academy of Social Sciences report that the country has a slim 4-percent chance of becoming a developed country by the end of the century, however, sounds more frustrating than inspiring.

Our compatriots are into name games. This is but another. It may be unfair to blame our scholars for investing precious resources in such games. But we as a nation would definitely be better off should our scholars concentrate more on refining our approach to development.