For more than 20 years, Clare Pearson has been at the heart of China's economic metamorphosis. As the former chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in China, she offers a unique perspective: China as a giant power bank, energizing the global economy through three high-voltage cables—high-speed rail, highways, and high-speed internet.
China's high-speed rail network, now the world's largest, links major cities at speeds exceeding 300 km/h. Tens of thousands of kilometers of track have reduced travel times, boosted tourism, and deepened regional trade, creating a ripple effect that powers supply chains around the world.
On the roads, an expansive highway grid connects remote regions to economic hubs. This seamless logistics network slashes delivery times, cuts carbon footprints, and opens new markets for goods ranging from fresh produce to high-tech products. For entrepreneurs and small businesses, it's a lifeline that turns local ideas into global products.
Meanwhile, China's high-speed internet has sprinted ahead, with 5G coverage expanding into hundreds of cities and rural districts. With millions of new users tapping into cloud services, e-commerce, and digital platforms daily, China's digital highway fuels innovation and positions the country as a testbed for emerging technologies like AI and IoT.
Pearson sees these connectors not as isolated projects but as an integrated power grid. "Each line feeds into the other," she says. The synergy between physical infrastructure and digital networks creates new growth loops—efficient transport networks drive data traffic, and digital platforms optimize logistics, reinforcing China's pull on global capital.
But what keeps the power bank charged? According to Pearson, it's a shift from raw-speed growth to high-quality development. Strategic investments in green energy, smart cities, and advanced manufacturing ensure that China's infrastructure continues to adapt, innovate, and deliver sustainable energy to the world economy.
As economies recover and rethink supply chains post-pandemic, China's power bank model offers lessons on resilience and scale. For young global citizens, business innovators, thought leaders, and digital nomads, it's a case study in how infrastructure and technology can be wielded to spark new phases of growth—and how connectivity can transform local potential into global impact.
Reference(s):
China the “Power Bank”: Energizing a New Phase of the Global Economy
cgtn.com
