A drone photo taken on Nov 1, 2025 shows a view of Shenzhen Bay Culture Square in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua]
Conventional wisdom suggests that successful nations are those that learn. Governments establish research institutes, universities churn out new knowledge, industries innovate, and public institutions continuously enhance their capabilities. Learning is the key reason why some countries prosper while others struggle.
Yet, learning alone doesn't lead to long-term national development.
A country without institutional memory suffers from collective amnesia. Political transitions often bring shifts in priorities. Every new administration introduces another reform while abandoning previous ones. Every crisis generates fresh initiatives, yet few become lasting capabilities. Progress becomes cyclical rather than cumulative.
China offers a striking contrast.
