why create when you can duplicate or replicate?
Don't forget, Japan started off replicating as well, then they improve upon an existing item and get to where they are today.
From China point of view, it is not fair to say they don't create - how do you know? Alot of things are shrouded in secrecy by their media - and their top research agencies are doing things that are kept under wraps.
Chinese are inventive people - the 4 great inventions are by Chinese. At the moment, China's strength is their low cost and ability to duplicate - so why should they not use this advantage while they still can?
Singapore is fucked largely because of our education system. For so many years, we are starved of creativity and although our government tried to arrest this problem, it will take a lot of time and effort.
Another thing, Chinese are known to be business people, meaning, I may not have the item, I could still trade it and earn from it. At the end of the day, it is to earn money right? Who cares how you earn it. You can have the greatest inventions in the world but if they are not marketable, there is no fuck use.
