To some observers in the West, these research achievements fly in the face of deeply held beliefs about the nature of knowledge and research across political systems. Shouldn’t Chinese controls on the internet hobble the ability of Chinese researchers to break new ground globally? There are valid critiques of China’s system of governance, ones that weigh heavily on public debate and research in the social sciences. But when it comes to research in the hard sciences, these issues are not nearly as limiting as many outsiders presume.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I feel only someone who has studied and done research in both the United States and in China would be able to speak truthfully and usefully about the impact the differences between the two countries' differences have on the propagation and exchange of free ideas.
Guess that's precisely Kai Fu Lee. Though, perhaps some would cast him as a PRC shill? I don't know, but I definitely wouldn't rely on Reddit armchair commentators.
