BankingNews' mission to the Chinese capital revealed a country that is methodically investing in technology, rapidly develops its infrastructure and seeks to gain leadership
«The China For me it's one new meadow where The five of me will feed.» wrote on his travels the great Nikos Kazantzakis...
And the truth is that we were very little prepared for what we would meet...
The image which has shaped much of it West For the China is far from what you find when it is in Beijing.
Its mission BankingNews in the Chinese capital revealed a country that is methodically investing in technology, rapidly develops its infrastructure and seeks to gain leadership in the areas that will determine the global economy over the next decades.
From artificial intelligence applications to electric drive, from digital services to the daily operation of the city, the conclusion is clear: China is no longer trying to follow the West.
In many areas she attempts to determine the next step herself.
Artificial intelligence is not the future, but everyday life
The Beijing, the artificial intelligence It is not presented as a technology under development, but as a tool gradually integrated into everyday life, services, business and transport.
The feeling gained by the visitor is that digitization is a central element of the state and business strategy. Technology applications are not limited to impressive presentations, but are exploited with the aim of faster and more efficient use. more effective operation a large town of millions.
Electric cars everywhere
Another thing that impresses is their sovereignty electric vehicles.
On the streets of Beijing electric cars are now an integral part of daily traffic, while the related infrastructure shows that electrification is not treated as a future investment but as a reality that has already been established.
This picture illustrates China's strategic choice to invest in a sector in which it seeks to play a leading role globally.
A city that works in order
In addition to technology, however, the organization of everyday life is also an impression.
Large avenues, transport stations and public spaces present a high level of cleanliness, while the operation of infrastructure creates the image of a city that places particular emphasis on consistency and planning.
The movement of millions of people takes place through a highly organised transport network, which is a key pillar of the operation of the Chinese capital.
China invests decades ahead
The older perhaps Finding his mission BankingNews is that China is not limited to producing low-cost products, as was the case several decades ago.
The country systematically invests in high technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, electricity and infrastructure, seeking to gain strategic advantage in the areas that will shape tomorrow's global economy.
Alipay: The «super-tool» of everyday life
If there is one application that best captures the level of China's digital transition, this is Alipay.
This is not just about a electronic payment platform, but for an integrated digital ecosystem that has turned into an integral part of the everyday life of hundreds of millions of citizens.
Through a single application the user can make payments, transfer money, call Taxi, buy tickets for trains and planes, book hotels, pay general interest accounts, order food, make electronic purchases, even carry out a series of administrative procedures.
The feeling gained by the visitor is that the mobile phone has almost completely replaced wallet, bank cards, but also much of daily transactions with Public
.
The Great Firewall and the «digital sovereignty» of China
Εξίσου εντυπωσιακή είναι η διαφορετική φιλοσοφία με την οποία η Κίνα αντιμετωπίζει το διαδίκτυο.
Η χώρα έχει αναπτύξει το λεγόμενο Great Firewall, ένα από τα πιο εξελιγμένα συστήματα ελέγχου και διαχείρισης της διαδικτυακής κίνησης παγκοσμίως.
Το σύστημα αυτό περιορίζει την πρόσβαση σε πολλές ξένες διαδικτυακές υπηρεσίες και πλατφόρμες, ενώ παράλληλα ενισχύει την ανάπτυξη εγχώριων τεχνολογικών κολοσσών και ψηφιακών υπηρεσιών.
Σύμφωνα με τις κινεζικές αρχές, το μοντέλο αυτό συμβάλλει επίσης στην ενίσχυση της κυβερνοασφάλειας και στην προστασία κρίσιμων ψηφιακών υποδομών, αν και διεθνώς αποτελεί αντικείμενο έντονης κριτικής, καθώς συνδέεται με αυστηρό κρατικό έλεγχο της διαδικτυακής πληροφόρησης.
Το αποτέλεσμα είναι η δημιουργία ενός σχεδόν αυτόνομου ψηφιακού οικοσυστήματος, όπου οι περισσότερες υπηρεσίες που χρησιμοποιούν καθημερινά οι πολίτες έχουν αναπτυχθεί εντός της China, μειώνοντας σημαντικά την εξάρτηση από ξένες τεχνολογικές πλατφόρμες.
The big question
Η εικόνα που αντικρίζει κανείς στο Beijing οδηγεί αναπόφευκτα σε ένα ερώτημα: βρίσκεται η Κίνα απλώς σε φάση ανάπτυξης ή έχει ήδη περάσει σε μια νέα εποχή τεχνολογικής πρωτοπορίας;
Όποια κι αν είναι η απάντηση, ένα είναι βέβαιο.
Όποιος εξακολουθεί να αντιμετωπίζει την Κίνα με στερεότυπα προηγούμενων δεκαετιών, δύσκολα μπορεί να κατανοήσει την ταχύτητα με την οποία εξελίσσεται μία από τις ισχυρότερες οικονομίες του πλανήτη.
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