China…
Reflections on China's remarkable transformation, ancient innovations, and the fascinating contrasts between East and West from my professional and personal experiences.
I helped open two, state-of-the-art, robotic manufacturing factories in China, both located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, in southeastern China, about a two-hour drive north of Hong Kong. Beyond my professional work, I have traveled extensively throughout China, purely out of personal interest and enjoyment. I also studied Chinese history by reading several books.
In terms of land area, China is comparable in size to the United States. China stretches farther north to south, while the U.S. spans more east to west, but overall their total land areas are remarkably similar. China has a much more advanced passenger train system than the USA. China is now the world leader in high speed passenger trains, eclipsing Japan.
Like the United States, China is home to some truly breathtaking landscapes. To appreciate the sheer scale of China's population, consider this striking comparison: China has more than 100 cities where the city proper exceeds 1 million people, while the United States has just 10 such cities.
China's growth over the past several decades has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the 1950s, Shenzhen in southeastern China was a small fishing village with a population of roughly 30,000. Today, Shenzhen is a major industrial and technology hub with a population of approximately 18 million—more than double the population of America's largest city, New York City.
China also possesses a fascinating and ancient history. Below are some of the most significant inventions that originated in China:
1Paper (c. 105 AD)
- Invented during the Han Dynasty by Cai Lun
- Revolutionized communication, record-keeping, education, and government worldwide
2Printing (c. 700 AD)
- Woodblock printing (Tang Dynasty)
- Laid the groundwork for mass literacy centuries before Gutenberg in Germany
3Gunpowder (9th century)
- Discovered by Chinese alchemists
- Led to fireworks, cannons, firearms, and dramatically changed global warfare
4The Compass (c. 100 BC)
- First used for navigation, made long-distance sea travel and global trade possible
5Silk (c. 2700 BC)
- China kept silk production a state secret for over 2,000 years
- Sparked the Silk Road, connecting the East and West
6Porcelain (China) (c. 700 AD)
- High-quality ceramics so associated with China that the material took the country's name
- Became a major global trade commodity
7Cast Iron (5th century BC)
- China produced cast iron over 1,500 years before Europe
- Enabled advanced tools, weapons, bridges, and agricultural equipment
8Paper Money (7th–11th centuries)
- First used during the Tang and Song Dynasties
- Foundation of modern financial systems
9The Seismograph (132 AD)
- Invented by Zhang Heng
- Could detect distant earthquakes and their direction
10The Wheelbarrow (c. 1st–2nd century AD)
- Used in construction, agriculture, and even military logistics
- Much earlier and more advanced than European versions
These remarkable innovations from ancient China have shaped the modern world in profound ways, demonstrating the enduring legacy of Chinese ingenuity and craftsmanship throughout history.