Chinas ICT: Progressing Toward Maturity From A Global Perspective

Abstract

This paper assesses the information and communications technology (ICT) factors governing Chinas economic expansion and its ability to sustain this expansion in the context of competing nations with similar infrastructures. This assessment utilizes a variety of selected metrics that capture the status of ICT capability of China. It provides a glimpse into the countrys ability to become a significant force in the global knowledge economy by highlighting the nations overall competitiveness rankings, juxtaposed to the standings of other nations. The timeliness of this work is noteworthy, since the success of Chinas transition towards economic and societal advancement is underpinned, to a large extent, by its total ICT investment. If a positive outcome is achieved, Chinese manufacturers will be able to adroitly weave themselves into the global supply chain by leveraging the countrys burgeoning ICT infrastructure.