The new China: myths destroyed

By Michael Darch

We are getting down to work in China now with our first stop in Shenzhen. And what a surprise to many of our team. Despite the constant barrage of information on the New China, old stereotypes are hard to die. Shenzhen is not China of the 20th century, it is a city of the 21st century that represents China’s original window into the global economy.

It is a city that was a minor fishing village just over two decades ago. Now it has a population of over 8 million. It is home to some of China’s most competitive companies including Huawei, ZTE and Joujou Electronics. It has wide streets, modern high rises, Starbucks, McDonald’s, a major science park, and more multinational companies than most North American cities.

From left: Michael Darch, Ms Liu Jin Shenzhen S&T Bureau, Kevin Fitzgibbons, DFAIT S&T Division

You can stay western, eat western, shop western and easily get by in English. Reading about the economic revolution, or watching it on CNN is one thing. Seeing it is quite another.

The numbers are also staggering. Already China’s solar energy companies are generating close to $100 million in revenue. And the target for 2010: $1 billion. It is China’s demonstration city for solar technology. It has embraced the sustainable energy movement and is positioning itself to lead China.

Another myth: bureaucracy. We are on a first mission, trying to build Canada’s image as a major innovator in clean energy, with our companies and universities looking to make contacts and build relationships.

We find out that Carleton University is scrambling to find a computer to develop a partnership agreement and sign it before they leave tomorrow. The discussion tables for our team members are busy all afternoon. We are talking about specific projects and follow-up with the Shenzhen Science, Technology and Information Bureau. And how to handle signing and publicity.

One of our presenters noted that although Canada had great innovation and R&D, it was slow to commercialize. It was clear in the seminar and follow-on meetings that clean technology was important to China and Shenzhen, and the mantra was “let’s do it not talk about it”. Which is the country supposedly bogged down in bureaucracy?

It was refreshing, and I must admit I was envious of the power of the region and community. In Canada, we are locked in debates over federal and provincial powers. Here, the region is the driver of economic prosperity. But that is a blog topic in itself.

Is China serious about clean technology? My initial answer would be a resounding yes.

(Mike Darch is Executive Director of OCRI Global Marketing)