The next Chinese renaissance

AS A tech entrepreneur who has worked and lived in China for over twenty years, I often have an opportunity to host business leaders from around the world. One of the most common questions I hear during such visits is: "So why don't we see more innovation coming out of China?"

In this article, I give my views on why this perception exists and where Chinese innovation is headed. I believe that all the pieces are finally in place to support a blossoming of innovation and creativity in China over the next several decades much like what happened in the arts and sciences during the Renaissance in Europe. Renaissance in French means "rebirth", which is quite fitting for China as it tries to regain its place in history.

China has had one of the most technically sophisticated societies in the world for thousands of years while the "Western" countries were still in the dark ages. During its peak in the early 1800's, China accounted for nearly 35 per cent of total global GDP.