Martin Prankl and China – a perfect match. There is hardly any other country where one technical innovation follows the next. And anyone who knows Martin just a little knows how much he loves new technical products. That’s why Martin went on a nine-day round trip across China in August. In this blog post, he talks about his experiences and insights.
Arrival in Shanghai and first experiences
My journey began in Shanghai, where I landed after a direct flight from Munich. From there I travelled on to Changsha, a city I had never heard of before. Although I was familiar with cities like Shanghai or Shenzhen, Changsha was a completely new experience for me. This city of over 10 million inhabitants offers a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity.
Technology as a normal everyday companion in China
One thing that immediately struck me was the central role of smartphones in everyday life in China. Alipay and WeChat Pay are the dominant payment methods – credit cards and cash are almost superfluous. Everything is done digitally, from ordering a taxi to paying in restaurants. Anyone travelling without a smartphone is lost in China.
Livestreaming on every corner
The use of social media is also very different from what I know from Europe. While TikTok is popular worldwide, the Chinese version, Douyin, has many more functions, such as integrated shopping and live streaming. Particularly impressive was the massive spread of livestreams, especially in the area of e-commerce.
China’s massive willingness to invest in new technologies
China’s innovative strength is remarkable. I had the opportunity to see some cutting-edge technologies, such as autonomous lawnmower robots and giant snow blowers that work completely autonomously. China is investing heavily in research and development, and you can see it in every corner.
No longer just the world’s workbench
Another important topic is China’s economic rise. It is clear that the country is no longer just the ‘workbench of the world’, but is actively driving innovation. China is developing its own technologies and standards that could have global significance in the long term. One example is the development of a new video codec that is set to replace international standards.
Cultural exchange and outlook
In addition to all these technological and economic impressions, the cultural exchange was particularly valuable for me. I learnt a lot about life, family and everyday life in China in conversations with my companion Summer. This exchange helped me to broaden my perspective and understand what makes China tick.
One thing is certain for me: this trip was just the beginning. I will definitely be travelling to China again to immerse myself even deeper in this fascinating culture. Anyone who wants to travel to China themselves in the near future and needs tips for business meetings, for example, is welcome to contact me at any time on 089 41 41 453 99. I look forward to exciting conversations and am happy to pass on my knowledge. In this blog post, I explain what’s happening in the livestream sector and which new products will soon be coming onto the market.
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