History of China’s Technology

China’s remarkable advancements and the use of technology were evident in its early civilizations. Dating back to approximately 2100 BCE, China used technological skills in the form of hydraulic engineering. Survival along the Huang He (Yellow) river was a difficult task, as the river often devastated the civilization with destructive floods. Impressive technologies that emerged from China had impacts on the West. The journey of Marco Polo not only manifested the superiority of China but also sparked technological diffusion. Influential goods that derived from China include silk, the magnetic compass, papermaking, and porcelain. Papermaking had a profound impact on various societies due to its use in documentation. With the production of paper, government records, written transaction information, and books were made. Additionally, Chin invented gunpowder. The Song Dynasty military used gunpowder in the battle against their fierce and brutal enemy, the Mongols. Gunpowder was extremely effective; China wanted to keep their invention a secret. However, tenuous information on gunpowder recipes spread along the Silk Road in the mid 11th century.

China’s Current Technology
China’s great presence in technology remains. During the end of the 20th century, China’s technology developed rapidly. The government contributed to this funding as it emphasized funding and reform. China can be considered as an emerging tech giant as its making gains in manufacturing, digital platforming, utilization of applications, and R&D. China has around 825 million internet users, allowing for a large customer base for the network. Major companies including China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom offer 5G network plans, giving this customer base exceptionally fast service. China has the upper hand in this market because it had the earliest availability. This 5G commercial launch will set China to possibly become the largest 5G network in the world.  As a result of China’s innovation, China is the global leader in patent applications, accounting for 40% of the global total. If trends continue, China is projected to exceed the United States’ position in technology.