Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
As the Chinese government prepares to announce the final results of its ambitious “Made in China 2025” initiative, launched in 2015, the world is witnessing how China has achieved an unprecedented technological leap. The goal of this grand project was to achieve technological self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on imports, and foster innovation across all sectors. A decade later, China has emerged as a global leader in technology and industry, surpassing many developed nations.
From Technological Dependence to Global Leadership
When the “Made in China 2025” plan was first introduced, most cars on Chinese roads were manufactured by Western automakers, while American Boeing and European Airbus dominated the skies. Chinese factories heavily relied on imported machinery, and the chips, operating systems, and software for computers and smartphones were primarily supplied by the United States.
Even the databases used by Chinese banks were designed and maintained by multinational corporations, most of which were American. At the time, China occupied a modest position in the global supply chain, producing mainly low-cost and technologically backward goods such as toys, furniture, textiles, and footwear.
Today, the landscape has completely changed. China is no longer following American technology; instead, it has become a pioneer in many fields. Americans are now buying Chinese phones instead of iPhones, and Germans are driving Chinese electric vehicles from BYD instead of their own Mercedes.
China’s “GuoWang”: A Strong Competitor to Starlink
One of the most prominent examples of China’s progress is its “GuoWang” satellite communication system, which is considered a major competitor to the American Starlink. While Starlink relies on SpaceX rockets to launch its satellites, China has developed its own carrier rocket, the “Long March-5B” (also known as the “Great March”).
China has distinguished itself with a unique design for its satellites, arranging them in two concentric layers around a central support cylinder. This design optimizes space utilization and reduces the risk of collisions during launch. Unlike Starlink, which launches dozens of satellites simultaneously using a spring mechanism, the Chinese system relies on launching separate groups of satellites, making it safer and more reliable.
Quantum Supremacy: “Zuchongzhi 3.0” Outperforms Google
In the field of quantum computing, Chinese scientists have announced the development of a new quantum processor called “Zuchongzhi 3.0,” which boasts 105 qubits (quantum bits). This achievement places China among the leading nations in the global race to develop the world’s most powerful quantum computers.
This announcement came just one week after Google unveiled its “Willow” quantum processor, which has the same qubit capacity. However, the Chinese research team, led by Professor Pan Jianwei from the University of Science and Technology of China, confirmed that “Zuchongzhi 3.0” demonstrates high precision and stability, making it a strong competitor to American technology.
Quantum computers use qubits instead of traditional bits, allowing them to process information faster and more efficiently. For example, a Chinese quantum computer can perform a complex task in just a few minutes, while a traditional supercomputer might take years to solve the same problem.
An Unprecedented Technological Revolution
Quantum computing represents a paradigm shift in technology, akin to the transition from typewriters to computers or from analog to digital photography. This technological revolution demonstrates how China has successfully achieved its ambitious goals, while other nations have struggled to match its progress.
For instance, Russia launched an import substitution program in 2014 but has failed to achieve similar breakthroughs in areas such as electric vehicles, computers, and smartphones.
China Redefining the Future
Thanks to the “Made in China 2025” initiative, China has become a formidable technological and scientific power. From satellite communications to quantum computing, China is proving its ability to lead the world toward a more advanced future. As it continues to achieve unprecedented milestones, China is expected to remain at the forefront of technological innovation in the coming decades.
