中国是国际创新大国吗？| 英文原创
这篇类 GRE Issue 英文原创写于2015年4月。当时那期「高级英文写作工作坊」里涉及到了这个主题的阅读和写作，作为工作坊发起人的我也写了一篇。
题目：To what extent do you think China is a global innovation powerhouse?
习作
Innovation, properly understood, should not be equated with invention. Etymologically, innovation is a form of renewing or reshuffling existing components or systems. Just as any abstract concept, innovation can be measured on a scale: North Korea and Afghanistan at one end of the spectrum, Israel and America on the other. China, though an emerging welterweight performer, is hardly a global innovator.
To qualify as a world innovator, a country needs to hold proportionate sway worldwide. Its innovative vim should be readily felt. China’s performance so far has not been compatible with this criterion. It is true that China prides itself on abundant R&D input, is home to throngs of high-tech companies, and its number of filed patents is only second to Japan and Korea.* Yet on the international arena, China is not the superstar that stands out for its admirable innovation ability and achievements. As a large country, whether by size or population, China punches far below its weight. Korea and Finland, in contrast, are stronger candidates for “global innovation powerhouse” despite their size and population.
A truly global innovator does not only stand out; it leads. One sign of a great innovative power is whether it sets itself as a role model for the rest of the world to emulate. Followers flock to the finest only. Just think of the pious packs of aspiring entrepreneurs and portly officials touring Google and Facebook campuses in the Silicon Valley and marveling at novel ideas that are claimed to change the world in downtown Tel Aviv. Not much is happening in China.
Innovation leaders also tend to be open to and tolerant of new and challenging ideas. They embrace the best brain, home grown and airborne alike. Korea and Japan, for example, educate and keep their native-borns. America and much of the rich world are remarkably resourceful: they produce their own as well as attract clever immigrants. China, disappointingly if not hopelessly, is a laggard. It is unthinkable that in a jittery country that censors ideas and punishes dissents genuine innovation could bloom. As a matter of fact, thanks to its authoritarian regime and ideologically- and exam-oriented education, creative minds and even competent labor are always in short supply. Simply ask any HR manager. Worse, the best educated Chinese are reluctant to return largely for fear of lack of political freedom and rule of law. Why bother leaving the country where they thrive on creative ideas?
Sustained innovation matters too. For innovation to take root and flourish, an encouraging environment backed by free market and rule of law is essential. It is true that many Chinese companies are innovative and some are highly innovative (say Tencent and Alibaba), yet sadly they are subject to the political whim and unfair competition. Let’s not forget that in China it has long been that those that have the best connections carry the day. Lacking a healthy mechanism, most Chinese firms will be unable to flex their innovative muscles; for the big innovators innovation may wither sooner or later.
China has tremendous potential to be a shining global innovator, but has yet released it. It is up to it and certainly to its benefit to be reformative, tolerant, and consistent. Heeding its challenges is the first step and first step well-taken.
* http://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-innovative-countries/