For a poor country, emphasis should be on ensuring baby milk powder is made with the baby in mind first, not supercomputers, fastest this, tallest that. Their efforts seem to be focused on grandiose in engineering feats.
I recently had a visitor from PRC who's here to promote her company's goods - I'll just say it's processed primary raw materials. While sending her to the airport, I asked if she had anythng she wanted to do before her flight and she said yes, she'd like to buy baby milk powder so I took her to Cold Storage. She bought a few cans. The rest of the journey, I kept our conversation to potentials I'll take her product samples to but I really wanted to ask about the milk. Out of my own reluctance that I might tamper on anything sensitive, I stayed away from the reason she bought those items as I already suspect I know why; it is quite obvious isn't it?
USA and Russia both raced for space supremacy - the prize (or reward, if you like) is national pride. And the price was heavy. I think they've both matured (or sobered, if you like) to this. There are more pressing things for society (eg. should the Pakis and Indians have built the bomb?).
Maybe I'm getting too old, but to quote an older person, "The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the one." Mr. Spock, from The Wrath of Khan.
Cheers!