How do you see China evolving in the next decade? What role do you envision it will play in the region and the world?

一瞬千变的中国。

In a flicker, a thousand changes for China and whose fortunes and developments took astonishing leaps and bounds. October 1st marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Beijing’s mammoth birthday celebration included China’s largest-ever military parade showcasing new weapons and an Olympic-size gala.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned China’s growing military power ‘threatens our freedom of movement and narrows our strategic options.’ China’s sovereign-wealth fund is looking to invest in U.S. real estate, possibly even through a government program created to help bail out struggling banks. The China Investment Corporation (CIC) is responsible for managing part of China's foreign exchange reserves with around US$ 200 billion of assets under management. They are active in pursuing global resources in places like Africa , Australia, South East Asia and US. Singapore’s Mainboard-listed commodity trader, Noble Group, sold a 14.5 per cent stake for US$850 million to China Investment Corporation (CIC) in a private placement. The Chinese tentacles are embracing the world.



Since the 1950s China endeavored to catch-up with advanced Western economies. ‘Made in China’ is one approach to global competitiveness and Chinese goods and products are everywhere. The initial focus on manufacturing and productivity is impeding innovation but not for long with a more assertive China. With changing global market dynamics, the increasing visibility of Chinese brands, and the global strides of certain Chinese companies, such as Lenovo, Haier, Huawei and others, will facilitate China in overcoming its inherent inferior Made-in-China effect. Changing long held perceptions is indeed a Herculean task. China is bound to challenge this current state and alter its country of origin effect in a very positive direction over the next 10-15 years as Chinese manufacturers slowly embrace branding as their primary strategic driver of financial value and to move up the global value chain.

China will continue its real Great Leap Forward.