Lessons that India can learn from China

China has aggressively followed a strategy of copying technology. In fact, many advanced countries have gone through this phase. Like them, India too needs to climb this ladder.

Technology is the battleground in today's competitive world. Yet India is becoming increasingly dependent on others for its hi-tech requirements. On the other hand, China has made significant advances. Here are a few tricks we could learn from our neighbour:

Reverse engineering

Developing Both Hard and Soft Capabilities

China has created both hard and soft capabilities necessary for indigenous innovation. It is equally important to work on soft innovation capabilities, including market reforms, and entrepreneurial skills.

Leadership Direction

The top Chinese leadership, composed of technocrats, single-mindedly directs the drive for technological upgradation. China's armed forces have been a part of this endeavour.

Focused Policy Framework for Indigenisation

China has issued clear guidelines. India needs to do the same.

Re-engineering Government Structures

Our neighbour has been experimenting with re-engineering government structures to target them more precisely on the objective of technological upgradation.

Systemic Reforms and Marketisation

China encourages changes in the patent regime, a transition from state to market oriented enterprises and so on.

Civil Military Integration

Beijing has placed faith in the capacity of its dynamic and growing civilian economy to support technological innovation which feeds into military innovation (spin-on effects) as proclaimed in its 16-character policy. It knows that a high tech defence innovation sector cannot exist in isolation from the civilian economy.

Reforms in Research Institutions and Science Academies

China has simultaneously reformed its research institutions and science academies in order to make them more market-oriented even while it has retained the development of strategic technologies within thegovernment sector.

Educational Reforms

India's neighbour has implemented a range of educational reforms to increase the quantity, quality and delivery of its educational institutions.