China bids to be next India, and India bids to be next China
■"Entrepreneurs Bet on Chip Designing in China: Nationals Educated Abroad Return Home to Help Build A True High-Tech Industry," by Jason Dean, Wall Street Journal, 2 December 2004, p. B4.■"Nokia Plans Factory in India In Bid to Tap Booming Market: Cellphone Maker to Invest As Much as $150 Million Over the Next Four Years," by Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal, 2 December 2004, p. B5.
Watching China and India set the pace for one another is truly amazing. Not too long ago India was seen as having an unbelievable lead on R&D-poor China in high tech, while manufacturing powerhouse China was seen as having an insurmountable lead on India in factory production. Now both countries seem hell-bent on copying the other’s success. Now India wants to export manufactured goods and not just compete in the service sector, whereas China wants to become a place where the highest of high-tech research is conducted.
This is wonderful dance to watch.