It was in China that gunpowder, the compass and printing were invented. And from its shores, in the 15th century, a massive flotilla of ships set out on one of the most far-reaching naval explorations in history.

Yet today, China is considered less a nation of innovation as one of fabrication. It is the world’s factory, providing the human capital and cheap resources to manufacture other nations’ technologies, from toy cars to flat screen TVs

Beijing wants to again claim the mantle of a nation of innovation. But is the country’s political, social and cultural climate one that will encourage inventiveness?

Aired on the Al Jazeera English program “Witness,” 11 October 2009.