Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

China: More than “the World’s Factory”

China: More than “the World’s Factory”

Almost all provinces and cities of China unfold the story of reform and opening-up began in 1978 by Chinese reformists led by Deng Xiaoping to achieve national rejuvenation and build a moderately prosperous society. Since then, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty and changed into the world’s second largest economy.
The fruit of China’s reform and opening-up policy was easily tangible in Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA), a Chinese city in Tianjin municipality, where I, along with a number of other journalists, had a tour themed “Rediscovering Tianjin from the View of Foreign Media – Binhai Vision”. We visited many industries and technological enterprises and a cultural center.
I was amazed at visiting Efy Technology which focuses on the development of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) flight control system. This enterprise provides safe and reliable flight operation guarantee in the commercial application of UAV such as agriculture and plant protection, low-altitude logistics, police monitoring, forest fire prevention, geological exploration and aerial surveying and mapping. The industry showcased many types of drones. There was a helicopter-like drone which could fly for four hours and carry 80 kg loads. Adhering to the principle of “Chinese should do well in China’s business”, Efy is seeking to invest funds and personnel to research and develop commercial drones and strive to become a leading enterprise in the industry.
Moreover, the innovation in a high-tech enterprise Sublue Ocean Science & Technology Co., Ltd. will fill one with awe and surprise. This company, founded in 2013, provides the products and total solution to meet the requirements in field of marine resource development and marine environment monitoring. Its mission is to discover the new underwater world and safeguard the underwater resource exploitation. The products of this enterprise are sold to the US, Australia, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This enterprise has a professional team of 200 employees, including 100 researchers.
The integration of technological industries and cultural centers multiplies the attraction of Tianjin for tourists. In other words, in addition to trade and transportation and technological advancement, Tianjin has its say in cultural issues, too. We visited Binhai Cultural Center, which is located in Tianjin Binhai New District, and plays a key role in improving regional cultural soft power. This cultural center adopts the advanced mode of “market-oriented operation, corporate management and public services”. The center integrates management, overall promotion and brand building and contributes to the development and prosperity of Binhai Culture.
Briefing the foreign journalists on August 27, Sun Bin, Director of the District Cyberspace Administration of Binhai New Area, said that after the reform and opening-up, TBNA focuses on the development of the real economy with the cordial care of the Party Central Committee and State Council, the strong leadership of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee and the people of the whole district.
He maintained, “Real economy is the foundation of the national economy and the basis for the development of Benhai New Area. It was once the cradle and pioneer of development of New China’s physical industry. Since the reform and opening-up, Benhai New Area always adheres to the road of large-scale opening to promote the development of the real economy”. He added, “Currently, advantageous industries such as aerospace, automobile and equipment manufacturing, electronic information, petrochemical, biomedicine, new energy and new material have been formed. It is unique in various national new areas across the country.” He said that they gained remarkable achievements in “education, insurance, medication, food, clothing, and housing”.
Marking the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up, Chinese live a peaceful and prosperous life with immense of delight and happiness.
Now the question is that what do all those mega-companies and investment have to do with Afghanistan?
One will answer to the question with a glance to the above facts. Initially, China was known as “the world’s factory” for attracting overseas companies for manufacturing. Now China is not going to rely on being the world’s factory but going beyond it. Afghanistan also has to pave the ground for foreign investment and open its door wider to foreign companies. There are many secure places in Afghanistan which are ripe for investment. If the ground for investment is not paved in the country, economic development will remain elusive. It goes without saying that Afghanistan has fertile land, rich mineral resources and huge human capital but still wrestles with economic crisis.
The country should learn how Chinese government subsidizes and supports the companies and enterprises, which contribute to poverty alleviation and create jobs for people. Afghanistan should further establish state-owned companies to create jobs and extend its business with neighboring countries, including China. The aforementioned facts are only few examples that Afghanistan can learn from China to rely on its own economy.