China invented paper, printing, the compass and the seismograph. China was among the first to harness fossil fuels, and map the stars. And then, about 500 years ago, it lost its innovative edge. Now China hopes once again to lead the world in creativity. In this five-part series, The World’s Asia Correspondent Mary Kay Magistad examines the history of Chinese innovation.

Part I:

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Part II:
In the second part Mary Kay Magistad looks at how the government in Beijing is trying to spur innovation. Currently, much of the effort has focused on trying to do it all in China.

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Part III:
In the third part of the series, Mary Kay examines the ways China’s educational system thwarts innovation.

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Part IV:
In this episode, Mary Kay Magistad explores how innovation in China is coming – and will have to come – from the private section.

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Part V:
In the final part of the series, Mary Kay reports on whether China’s Communist Party can continue to deliver economic growth and still maintain tight political control.

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• Mary Kay’s 2007 series on ‘Young China’
• In pictures: China celebrates 60 years of communist rule

See also

• October 2, 2009 -- ‘Created in China’ series
• October 1, 2009 -- ‘Created in China’ series
• September 30, 2009 -- ‘Created in China’ series
• September 30, 2009 -- Created in China: part III