The article discusses the concept of 'shanzhai' as popularized by South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han, referring to China's approach of copying as a form of learning and innovation.
The article explores the concept of 'shanzhai', as described by South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han, which illustrates how imitation in China serves as a learning process. Initially, this method starts with appropriation and shameless counterfeiting, which leads to a series of mutations resulting in improved versions of products that drift further from the original.
Since the opening of China under Deng Xiaoping in 1978, many multinational corporations have shifted manufacturing to China to capitalize on the cheap labor, initially concentrating on special economic zones to protect their interests. This approach allowed China to slowly integrate and learn from foreign technology while shielding its internal market from foreign competition. Over time, Chinese manufacturers became skilled and began to compete aggressively both on price and quality.
The implications of the 'shanzhai' mindset indicate a transformation in the global manufacturing economy, where China is no longer just a factory for the world but is now innovating and creating competitive products. This shift poses questions about intellectual property and the future of creativity in a world that heavily relies on imitation as a stepping stone to innovation.
