導讀:中國古代的“四大發明”舉世聞名,推動了世界的進步。隨著科技的發展,中國的“新四大發明”再次引起了世界的矚目。
China, which boasts epochal inventions in ancient times, has once again demonstrated its ability to change the world with its “new four great inventions” : high-speed railways, electronic payments, shared bicycles and online shopping.
The four innovative ways of life were most appealing to youths from 20 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, according to a survey by the Belt and Road Research Institute of Beijing Foreign Studies University.
“The ‘new four great inventions' are all related to Chinas high-tech innovation, which improved the quality of peoples lives,” said Wu Hao, executive director of the BRRI.
“My wallet is no longer in use. I can buy and eat whatever I want simply with a tap of my phone,” said Lin Jinlong, an overseas Chinese student from Cambodia, adding that “even pancake sellers are using Alipay (mobile payment).
“We can also order food at home, which is super convenient. If I were at home in Cambodia, I would have to go outdoors.”
The bikes themselves are not new, but the operating model of bike-sharing is based on satellite navigation system, mobile payment, big data and other high technologies.
Chinese entrepreneurs have surprised the world with the business model of bike-sharing which incorporates these technologies, and are entering overseas markets such as Singapore and Britain.
China has entered a new innovative era, thanks to the large amounts of capital China has invested in encouraging innovation, said Bernhard Schwartlander, World Health Organization Representative in China.
As a huge fan of bicycles, he also expressed his affection for Chinas shared bicycles, saying that “shared bikes are bringing cycling back to peoples lives, and they are making public transport more attractive and convenient, and encouraging people to be more active.”
Rebacca Fannin, founder and editor of Silicon Dragon, noted that China is beginning to lead in innovation in some ways.
“It is increasingly clear that China is innovating and no longer copying Western ideas. It is increasingly clear that China is leading in many ways such as social messaging app WeChat,” she said.
“This is partly because China skipped over the PC era and went directly to mobile. China has the largest mobile use in the world.”
With regard to the “new four great inventions”, Charlie Dai, principal analyst of American market research company Forrester, said these products and services have definitely improved customer experience, boosting national and global economy at the same time.
A growing number of foreigners hope to promote economic development in their home countries by highlighting the need for technological achievements like that of China.
Lin cited his experience of traveling by Chinese high-speed train from Beijing to the coastal city of Tianjin more than 100 km away. The journey takes only half an hour, while in Cambodia, which has only two railways, such a journey may take up to three hours.
Wu said Lins view appears to suggest that youths of countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative wish their home countries would emulate China in terms of technological achievements.
中國以劃時代的古代發明為傲,而其新四大發明:高鐵、電子支付、共享單車以及網購則再次展現出了改變世界的能力。
據北京外國語大學絲綢之路研究院發布的一項調查顯示,這四大創新生活方式在“一帶一路”倡議沿線20個國家的年輕人當中很受歡迎。
“‘新四大發明都跟科技創新有關,說明中國的科技創新在很大程度上提升了民眾的生活質量。”北外絲綢之路研究院執行董事吳昊表示。
“在中國我出門可以不用帶錢包。拿一個手機,就能買所有想買的東西,吃所有想吃的東西,”柬埔寨留學生林金隆說,“連賣煎餅的小攤販都在使用支付寶(移動支付工具)。”
“我們可以在家點餐,很方便,但在柬埔寨的家里,我就得出門去買。”
雖然自行車本身并不新鮮,但共享單車的運營模式是建立在衛星導航系統、移動支付、大數據以及其他高科技的基礎上。
共享單車將這些技術結合起來,并進駐新加坡、英國等海外市場。中國企業家以共享單車這種商業模式震驚了世界。
世界衛生組織駐華代表施賀德表示,由于中國在鼓勵創新方面投入了大量資金,中國已經進入了一個新的創新時代。
作為一個自行車迷,他也表達了自己對中國共享單車的喜愛,稱:“共享單車讓騎行回歸人們的生活,它令公共交通更具吸引力、更方便,同時鼓勵人們多運動。”
“硅谷之龍”創始人及編輯麗貝卡·范寧指出,中國在某些方面開始引領創新潮流。
“日益明顯的一點是,中國正在不斷創新,不再復制西方的創意。在移動領域尤其如此,中國在社交通信諸如微信應用軟件等諸多方面都處于領先地位,”她表示。
“一部分原因是因為中國越過個人電腦時代,直接進入移動時代。中國擁有世界上最多的移動設備用戶。”
美國市場研究公司弗雷斯特的首席分析師戴鯤在談到“新四大發明”時表示,這些產品及服務都毫無疑問地提升了消費者的體驗舒適度,同時也推動了中國以及全球經濟的發展。
越來越多的外國人都希望,通過加強像中國這樣的技術研發推廣來推動本國經濟的發展。
林金隆提到了他坐中國高鐵從北京到100公里外的海濱城市天津的經歷。這趟旅程只花了半小時,而在只有兩條鐵路的柬埔寨,這樣的旅程可能需要三小時。
吳昊認為,林金隆的陳述體現了“一帶一路”倡議沿線國家的青年們,希望自己的國家能在科技成就上效仿中國的心愿。
appeal /??pi?l/ v. 有吸引力;引起興趣
The idea of working abroad really appeals to him.
invest /?n'vest/ v. 投資;投入
He invested a large sum of money in stocks.
boost /bu?st/ v. 促進;使興旺
The movie helped boost her screen career.
emulate /'emj?le?t/ v. 效仿;模仿
He hoped to emulate the success of his friend.