Industrial Innovation in China
This book, based on extensive original research, examines the factors which lead to successful innovation in Chinese industry. Considering the large and important Chinese mining industry in detail, it argues that innovation is key for success in all industries, not just new tech industries. It reveals how the interaction of universities, governments and industries is highly significant, considers how some parts of the industry, such as the mining and mineral processing stages, are more innovative than other stages, such as prospecting and mining equipment manufacturing, and suggests that this is explained both by the distance between final products and the market and commercialisation, and by the intensity of the interaction between the industrial company and the university or research institute. Throughout, the book includes examples and case studies to highlight the points made.
Zhenyu Fu is an Associate Research Fellow in the National Academy of Innovation Strategy, China Association for Science and Technology, Beijing, China.
Routledge Studies on the Chinese Economy
Series Editor
Peter Nolan
University of Cambridge
Founding Series Editors
Peter Nolan, University of Cambridge and
Dong Fureng, Beijing University
The aim of this series is to publish original, high-quality, research-level work by both new and established scholars in the West and the East, on all aspects of the Chinese economy, including studies of business and economic history.
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Guo Shuqing, edited by China Development Research Foundation
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Chen Xiwen, edited by China Development Research Foundation
Chinese Economists on Economic Reform - Collected Works of Du Runsheng
Du Runsheng, edited by China Development Research Foundation
Chinese Economists on Economic Reform - Collected Works of Lou Jiwei
Lou Jiwei, edited by China Development Research Foundation
Chinese Economists on Economic Reform - Collected Works of Ma Hong
Ma Hong, edited by China Development Research Foundation
Chinese Economists on Economic Reform - Collected Works of Wang Mengkui
Wang Mengkui, edited by China Development Research Foundation
Chinese Economists on Economic Reform - Collected Works of Yu Guangyuan
Yu Guangyuan, edited by China Development Research Foundation
Chinese Economists on Economic Reform - Collected Works of Zhou Xiaochuan
Zhou Xiaochuan, edited by China Development Research Foundation
Chinese Economists on Economic Reform - Collected Works of Li Jiange
Li Jiange, edited by China Development Research Foundation
First published 2022
by Routledge
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
2022 Zhenyu Fu
The right of Zhenyu Fu to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
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British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-1-032-07244-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-07298-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-20610-1 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003206101
For my dearest beloved little star, Xingyin Liu
I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my great thanks to all those who have given me much needful help during the publication process of this book.
My gratitude first and foremost goes to my supervisor Professor Nolan. His supervision is always illuminating, his suggestions are always wise and thought-provoking. Without Professor Nolans encouragement and patient guidance I could not have reached my destination.
My heartfelt gratitude also goes to my masters supervisor Professor Zhu Tianbiao, it was he who demonstrated to me the nobleness of academic pursuit. He cultivated my interest for conducting research. Besides, Professor Feng Kaidong also gives me direct assistance regarding the fieldwork opportunity and possible conclusions of my research.
The support of my parents is hard to exaggerate, they have been sustaining me unselfishly, whenever I encounter problems, they always cheer me up and tell me to keep focused. My mother took care of me while I was at home and my father helped me organise some essential fieldwork.
I want to acknowledge the invaluable help offered by all the warm-hearted people who helped me establish a personal network with my interviewees. Tao Xin and Li Hanshi are two senior students of Cambridge and Peking University respectively, they helped me get in touch with mining companies in Hunan province and Inner Mongolia. The fieldwork with these companies paved the way for my research and formed a concrete part of my thesis. I used to do an intern in Yulin city and got to know Mr Yang Yang, an engineer in Yulin Municipal Development and Reform Commission, he is erudite and nice, he helped me organise a series of fieldwork in Yulin. Mr Cai, an engineer in Haohua company, introduced useful information of Haohua and explained some technical issues to me, which is of significance to me. Dr Zheng Huan and Luo Fang helped me contact relevant mining staff in Yunnan. Dr Zhang Jinhu provided expertise in mining and authorised photos to support the publication of the book. I would take this chance to express my special thanks to them.
During the editing process of the book Dr Yang Xuming provided huge help to me, he gave me guidance on how to publish a book, which is of great significance. Dr Chen Xiao also shared her experience with me. Dr Guy Williams and Editor Louise Maskill, as native speakers, helped me improve the language of the book. The editor of Routledge, Peter Swoden, helped a lot in pushing forward the publication of this book.
Real debt is owed to Liu Xingyin, my wife. She helped me glean the missing information and was always there whenever I needed help. Her devotion in this endeavour is immensely appreciated. Moreover, I feel lucky as from now on, I can have Xingyin as my companion throughout my life and share my achievements with her.
In the course of writing this book, I got countless peoples help, by which I am moved deeply. Due to the limited space, I cannot name all the people who have made a contribution to the publication of the book, I am grateful to you all.
Chinas economy has enjoyed a rapid rate of development in recent decades, enabling it to become the second largest economic entity in the world in terms of GDP. However, its achievements in innovation do not live up to its peoples expectations.
