By Li Hongxing, People’s Daily
If you were visiting Shanghai and had to choose between Shanghai Disneyland and Huawei’s Lianqiu Lake R&D Center, which would you pick?
Not long ago, Thomas Friedman, a New York Times columnist, faced precisely this dilemma. He described both destinations as symbols of a “Tomorrowland,” but ultimately concluded that Huawei’s R&D facility represented the real one. So, he went to Lianqiu Lake.
What makes this R&D center so compelling?
Located in the start-up area of the demonstration zone for intergrated ecological and green development ,in the Yangtze River Delta region, the facility comes with an investment of over 10 billion yuan ($1.38 billion) and is designed to house tens of thousands of researchers.
For Friedman, it’s the superior environment—”designed to attract the best Chinese and foreign technologists”—that stands out. At a time when the global economy is grappling with uncertainty, the vibrancy and creativity of this research hub are especially significant.
It’s not just Huawei. Across China, more companies are embracing innovation and moving steadily toward becoming more high-end, intelligent, and green.
Chinese new energy vehicle giant BYD, for example, had poured over 180 billion yuan into R&D by the end of 2024. That same year, China’s total R&D spending exceeded 3.6 trillion yuan, remaining the world’s second largest.
In an era of fierce technological competition, industries across the board are doubling down on innovation, demonstrating both a commitment to upgrading and confidence in the future.
This momentum—China’s transformation from the “world’s factory” to a global innovation powerhouse—has highlighted the country’s growing significance in the global innovation ecosystem. It’s no surprise that Friedman described Huawei’s Lianqiu Lake R&D center as a direct response of the Chinese tech firm to the “U.S. attempt to choke it to death.”
Through proactive innovation, openness to fresh ideas, and bold creativity, China is focusing its energy on breakthrough technologies and industrial upgrading, enhancing its ability to attract high-quality global resources. This not only boosts China’s own development potential and competitiveness but also makes the country increasingly appealing to international capital and talent.
Confidence in China’s market isn’t limited to the Chinese themselves. Foreign businesses are actively seeking opportunities too. Harley Seyedin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, noted that foreign companies expanding their presence in China are demonstrating their confidence in achieving long-term growth within one of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets.
For example, the rapid construction of Carlsberg’s production facility in Foshan, south China’s Guangdong province, gave the company a crucial first-mover advantage. Negotiations to contract signing took just six months, while groundbreaking to completion of construction took only a year and a half.
With stable market expectations, a sound business environment, and a strong industrial foundation, both Chinese and foreign enterprises are gaining the confidence in increasing investment and expanding operations.
The market remains vast—and in the face of rising barriers and protectionism, what truly matters is capability and determination. China is turning pressure into motivation by embracing greater openness, deepening cooperation, and renewed determination.
Yiwu in Zhejiang Province offers a valuable case in point. Conversations with local entrepreneurs there reveal a striking absence of complaints, instead, the focus is on solutions.
Some manufacturers are facing severe challenges. What’s the response? One exporter said local businesses are sharing their client networks, many of which are in developing countries. Cooperation in commerce and production to weather the storm together has become both a consensus and a common practice. Recently, industry associations, leading retailers, and e-commerce platforms have joined forces to promote the integration of domestic and foreign trade—a clear proof of this trend. With resilient industries and strong domestic demand, China retains significant flexibility.
Both Shanghai Disneyland and Huawei’s Lianqiu Lake R&D Center have small trains that connect different parts of their respective sites. In today’s global village, economies are linked by countless such “small trains”—interconnected, mutually enabling. China is not only a connector in global industrial and supply chains but also a stabilizer of global business confidence. By navigating turbulent times and seizing new opportunities, China is growing stronger through adversity. The next China is still China.
