Although the concept of knowledge society was first used by Peter Druker in the 1960s and 1970s, actually there is a long history for acquiring knowledge from practice in China. Chinese are well known for their respect for science and technology in their daily life and production activities. Science in China was well elaborated on in Joseph Needham’s famous book Science and Civilisation in China. A case in point is the Four Great Inventions (paper making, compass, gunpowder, and typography) by ancient Chinese to the humankind. Since the establishment of New China in 1949, China has been exploring a suitable way to positive economic and social evolution. After several failures and setbacks, China gradually finds out a way with Chinese characteristics, and continuously makes adjustments according to the fast changing domestic and external situations.

This paper deals with China’s experiences in social and economic transformation from a backward country into the second largest economy in the world, in which knowledge society has played, and is playing an important and constructive role. The author argues that China’s reform and opening up policy, the central government’s policy on science and education, investment in scientific research activities, as well as the opportunities offered by modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), have all accounted for the great achievements in building China’s knowledge society. Given the gap between developing and developed countries, the future challenges and the fast growing knowledge itself, China still has a long way to go in pursuing the constantly updating goals of building a knowledge society. China is by nature a developing country, just like Africa. This means both China and African countries are facing common or similar opportunities and challenges in an innovation- and knowledge-driven world. China’s experiences may be used by African countries as references. China and African countries can learn from each other regarding knowledge production, sharing the rich, local knowledge, and preserving cultural diversity. In the context of growing economic globalization and long-standing China-Africa friendship and cooperation, China can also make direct contributions to knowledge society construction in Africa through infrastructure construction, human resource aid, capacity building, and new ICTs investment. In fact, some Chinese enterprises are very active in the above-mentioned areas. Their hard work and talent will make Chinese factors in Africa’s knowledge society building more and more important.

I. Origin and Development of Knowledge Society in China

The concept of “Knowledge society” was born in the 1960s or 1970s. American economist, political scientist, sociologist and management expert Peter Drucker pointed out that the knowledge society is a society in which the knowledge is the key resource. That is to say, the essence of a knowledge society is that the knowledge elements dominate the economic and social development. Compared with an industrial society, the principal feature of the knowledge society is that knowledge and talent, which replace natural resources, mechanical equipments and other tangible capital, have become the decisive factors for economic and social development, and the first resource in creating wealth. In the knowledge society, knowledge economy is the main economic form of society, and innovation turns into the major driving force for development and the core element of competitiveness.

China has gone through a tortuous process in managing knowledge, intellectuals, and knowledge society building. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the leaders of CPC (the Communist Party of China), such as Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Deng Xiaoping, have attached great importance to the role of intellectuals in the economic construction, and spoken about it many times in their speeches. For example, late Chairman Mao stressed: “Our country is an underdeveloped country in the field of culture, so we cannot construct our country without intellectuals.”[①] Deng Xiaoping thought that China should strengthen educational undertakings in ethnic minority regions, unite all intellectuals even they are not CPC members, and improve wages and living conditions of teachers, engineers, doctors and other professionals.[②]

However, from the beginning of the Anti-Rightist Movement in 1957 until the end of the “Cultural Revolution” in 1976, the awareness in China about intellectuals deviated, which put strong ideology with intellectuals by regarding intellectuals as the representatives of the bourgeoisie, rather than an important force in nation-building. Even worse, during the “Cultural Revolution” from 1966 to 1976, intellectuals and educational undertakings suffered severe devastation and destruction.

In 1975, Deng Xiaoping was reappointed to preside over the daily work of the party and the state. He rethought profoundly the damage caused by the Anti-Rightist Movement, then began to rectify comprehensively all the sectors, such as military, railways, steel, defense industry, science and education, agriculture, and so on, especially in science and education. He organized and set up the Central Political Research Center, not only to carry out research on the theoretical issues, but also on the science and industrial development. Although it only existed for five months because of the destruction of “the Cultural Revolution”, it planned in advance a long-term reform roadmap for the “Four Modernizations” which would be achieved at the end of the 20th century, played a key role in the recovery of higher education, broadened the space for cultural activities, and promoted the scientific researches including social sciences.

In Deng Xiaoping’s rectification policy, the main field was science. It began with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), then expanded to other scientific institutions. As Deng pointed out, to strengthen scientific research in enterprises was an important channel for the development of light industry in a better, faster and more economical way.[③] CAS was expected to play a vital role in the construction of the Four Modernizations. Deng also stressed to create various conditions for the researchers, and help them solve problems in their daily life. Under Deng’s leadership, a Ten-Year Plan for Science Development was drawn up, in which CAS took the lead.

On 24th May 1977, soon after the end of the Cultural Revolution, in his talks with other CPC leaders, Deng pointed out that within the CPC, the atmosphere of respect for knowledge, and respect for talents must be created. From August to September, many discussions were held to highlight the important roles of science and education in Four Modernizations, and set things right in science, technology, and education sectors. From then on, knowledge and talents have been the priorities in Central government agenda to promote the harmonious development of Chinese society. Under this context, knowledge has gradually become the kernel to the economic development and social improvement.

So to speak, Deng Xiaoping was the representative of those who showed sincere solicitude for Chinese intellectuals, and important promoter of the spread and development of knowledge society in China. In the three-volume Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping, out of more than 200 articles, there were 48 exclusively on intellectuals, and more than 60 articles touched upon intellectuals. Deng’s views of intellectuals laid the theoretical foundation for China’s strategy of developing the country through science and education, and strengthening the country throught the contributions by talented people.

II. China’s Initiatives and Practices in Building a Knowledge Society

2.1, Central Government Policy

In 1978, after the “Cultural Revolution”, National Science Convention was held in China, which signified the spring of science and technology in this country after 10 years’ of ignorance. In his speech at the conference, Mr. Deng Xiaoping, then Vice Premier of the State Council, emphasized the fundamental role of science and technology to productivity in Marxism. After this notion, public awareness of science and technology was raised unprecedentedly from complete ignorance. In September 1988, following the Marxist paradigm, Mr. Deng Xiaoping pointed out the PRIMARY role of science and technology to productivity[④], showing the direction for China’s reform and opening up policy. During this period, China’s thirst for knowledge and talent boosted the rapid development of education, higher education in particular.

In 1995, the central government explicitly advanced the strategy of “reviving the country through science and education”, that is, considering science, technology, and education as the primary forces of economic and social development, with education as the root. In other words, knowledge should become the main force of economic development in order to enhance the country’s prosperity. Since then, in order to implement the strategy of “reviving the country through science and education”, the central government set a target of constructing a new national knowledge system in 1999, aiming at transforming the fruitful results of science and technology into actual productivity. In the 21st century, higher education is no longer a privilege of the elite. Instead, it has become increasingly approachable to the general public. People in China developed keen urge to learn and share scientific knowledge, establishing the foundation of a new society which values knowledge and innovation.

According to A National Mid- and Long-term Program for Scientific and Technological Development, 2006-2020 (hereafter as Mid- and Long-term Scientific Development Plan) issued by the State Council in 2005, one of the major strategic target is to improve the innovativeness of China. That is, to promote the innovation of theory, structure, and science and technology. In building this new innovative country, the general public have acquired and utilized more and more knowledge and modern science and technology. This consistently inspires new innovative talents, building up the basis for the future knowledge society. This policy has put China’s social economic development back on track. Since then, the government leaders have made a number of comments and guidance in regard to this policy, which leads to the beginning of China’s innovative thinking. In 2007, “a scientific outlook on development” and “people-oriented” concepts were advanced in the 17th National Congress of the CPC. Science and technology is not the only emphasis in social economic development; people orientation is also the core. The integration of industrialization and information technology was also advocated as a direction of the social economy at that Congress. In 2013, industrialization, information technology, urbanization, and agriculture modernization were included in the “synchronized four” strategy at the 18th National Congress of CPC.

2.2, Local Governments’ Implementation

Under the guidance of the central government, innovation of science and technology is considered as a major development strategy. Local governments at all levels have formulated strategic tactics accordingly. Based on the Mid- and Long-term Scientific Development Plan, local development plans are tailored to the idiosyncrasies of the local governments.

For instance, in an attempt to alter the patterns of economic growth, Jiangsu Province put forward the development strategy of “reviving the province through science and education” in 1988, even before “reviving the country through science and education” was mentioned nation-wide. What it used to be “extensive mode” operation, which heavily relied on cheap resources and labor, will gradually switch gears to an operation relying on knowledge, science and technology, as well as the talent of labor forces. Since 1995, under the guidance of the “reviving the country through science and education” strategy, the central government has fostered the development of science, technology and local economics in various industries and sectors.

In order to implement the central government’s strategic plan, major industries and sectors (e.g., agriculture, manufacture, department of defense, department of foreign trade, etc.) delineated science and technology-reliant development strategies for their own. Meanwhile, local governments at all levels, including respective provinces, cities, autonomous prefectures, and counties, have tailored their development guidelines of “reviving the province/city/county through science and education”. Nationwide, the majority of district and local governments have established leadership teams dedicated to science and technology. Following those leadership teams, over 200 cities in 20 provinces have come up with economic development plans based on science and technology within 2 years. The predominant mode of economic growth changed, so as the public’s view of economic development. This, as well, means greater challenge after 20 years of rapid growth with the reform and opening up policy. Knowledge, science and technology are not only the sources of future material wealth, but also the soul of human society in future. Knowledge economy as a long-awaited new social development mode, has gradually earned its merits in the eyes of the general public.

2.3, Typical Detailed Practices

First, both the central and local governments have paid great attention to the construction of information networks and actively advocated the development and usage of the Internet. As a result, related infrastructure was rapidly improved. Between 1997 and 2009, the domestic investment in the Internet infrastructure totals 4.3 trillion RMB, resulting in an optical telecommunication network of 8.3 million km, with 0.84 million kilometers being long-distant optical cables. By the end of 2009, there have been altogether 136 millions of access ports for national broadband via 7 submarine cables and 20 land cables; total width of the Internet access ports reached 866,367 Mbps with the capacity of 1,600 GB; 99.3% counties and 91.5% villages in China have the Internet coverage, among which 96.0% counties have access to broadband.[⑤]

Secondly, in the mid 1990’s, the Chinese government launched a “government online” program. As of today, over 90% of central ministerial offices, provincial governments, and city councils have launched official web portals or electronic government affairs websites. More than 80% of county governments and most administrative departments have also followed suit. Through the online platform, government information is published on time, facilitating people’s mundane affairs. In January 2010, the State Council decided to speed up the integration of telecommunications, broadcasting and the Internet networks to boost the development of information and cultural industry. Compared to developed countries, China still lags behind in terms of broadband infrastructure and the ranking of the Internet access speed. Nonetheless, under the advocacy and clear guidance of the Chinese government, the construction of online networks in China has adopted a holistic, consistent and efficient approach. The rapid development and popularization of the Internet in China has greatly changed and will continue changing the way people work, learn and live their lives. As for now, China is ranked No.1 in the world in terms of the Internet users.

Moreover, Chinese Ministry of Education has been focusing on implementing significant projects such as “complete digital coverage of teaching facilities”, “campus broadband networks”, and “quality resources in every classroom”. The purpose is to establish public platforms for education resources and education management, enhancing the application of information technology in education and leading to a faster growth of informatization of the education system nationwide.

2.4, General Public Involvements

Information society has not only changed the mode of economic operation and growth in China, but also penetrated various aspects of people’s life. The general public has become increasingly savvy with modern information technology in economic activities; Productivity is unprecedentedly high; People are more involved with social reforms and development. Information society, as an antecedent of knowledge society, will introduce greater change and reform to future social economics.

In recent years, with the rapid development of informatization, computers and the Internet have become an indispensable part of all walks of life and people’s daily life. The development of smart phone, in particular, greatly enhances the scale of mobile networks. The number of mobile network users in China continues to increase, 74.5% of which are the Internet users. This number has reached 420 million.[⑥] With more than 40% of the population online, new landscape manifests itself in various industries (e.g., service, finance, retailing, etc.). Trading, logistics and payment online have become common practices in those more developed eastern region and cities. As of today, information technology and E-commerce have become prominent characteristics in the development of business society. According to the “2013 E-Commerce Convention” jointly hosted by The Ministry of Commerce and All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, the revenue of an electronic retailer—Alibaba—alone has reached the 1 trillion mark. Sales from online stores have exceeded those from brick-and-mortar stores. These all implicitly alter the pathway of business development, boosting the societal development.

In addition to E-commerce, the prevalence of social network sites such as Weibo (Microblog, i.e., Chinese twitter) and Weixin (Wechat) or SNS enables the public to get involved in social activities, which becomes an essential force for societal development. Electronic government affairs enhanced openness and transparency of government information, increased efficiency and boosted public participation in government and political affairs. The prevalence of the Internet diversifies public’s cultural life, fulfills their psychological needs, improves their quality of life and satisfies their desire for knowledge and information. At the same time, the general public enjoy their freedom of speech online in accordance with the law. Communication online greatly enriches information, which sufficiently demonstrates the publics’ right to know, to participate, to express and the right to monitor. What is particularly worth mentioning is that the Chinese government values the monitoring role of the Internet. Almost all governmental websites have published their email addresses and contact numbers, so that the public could provide feedback. Previous incidents have shown that a great number of issues brought up via the Internet have been addressed. Related departments also set up informant sites to fight against corruption.[⑦] According to a survey, the monitoring role of the Internet received positive ratings among over 60% of the Internet users and was considered a manifestation of improvement of Chinese democracy. Recently, community sites in major cities have also been taken note of. The community site of Hui Long Guan neighborhood in Beijing (http://www.hlgnet.com/) (which has more than half a million registered users and over one million visits per day), for example, has become a frequent platform for local community information exchange and everyday cultural and economic activities.

In addition, the government has also started to show unprecedented concerns over public opinions and expressions online. The Internet has become a bridge for expressions between the government and the public. The Chinese government has built a new pathway to understand public sentiments and pool public wisdom. The Chinese leaders frequently go online to learn about the public will through direct conversations with the Internet users on various issues. It has become a custom for governments at various levels to hold online opinion polls before important policies are introduced. Every year the government solicits public opinions online during the sessions National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

2.5, Collaboration with Global Community

There is no doubt that China has become increasingly open and connected with the outside world. With continuous development in science and technology, especially innovation in information technology and improvement in telecommunication infrastructure, every corner on the globe is easily connected. Close collaboration with global community has become an inevitable option in this new era. As a result, the Chinese government constantly adjusts macro-level policies to fit in global trend. A social and economic system with greater flexibility and distinct Chinese characteristics is gradually emerging. Substantive progresses have been made in a variety of areas including construction of a clean and honest administration, formulation of common practices in international economic sectors, protection of intellectual property rights, establishment of social security, etc. Beyond all doubt, these progresses in the past 20 years are closely related to the innovation and revolution of information technology, the economic globalization and the general trend of global social economic development.

III. Status Quo of Knowledge Society in China

In the process of creating a knowledge society, the central government and local governments all regard information and communication technology as a breakthrough, and a driving force for the economic transformation and social change. With the continuous improvement of information and communication technologies, the learning, use, dissemination, creation and sharing of knowledge has become an organic social environment in China.

3.1, Achievements in China’s Construction of Knowledge Society

Firstly, the scale of knowledge industry continues to expand. After China's reform and opening up, especially since the 21st century, with the development of information and communication technology, the industries concerning knowledge society building such as education, science and technology, information, media, creativity, design and planning have all become unique industries in China. These industries, especially in some large and medium-sized cities, have formed considerable scale, which promotes the changes in the path of traditional economic development, and become new dynamics in social change.

Secondly, the development of ICTs enables the people to acquire knowledge and information through a wider, more accurate and more convenient channel. The roles of print media, radio, television and other traditional knowledge dissemination are shared by the Internet. The popularity of 2G and 3G networks in all parts of the country not only effectively promote the development of productivity and economy, but also improve the social civilization, marking the social and cultural progress of mankind. According to the China Internet Network Information Center’s (CNNIC) latest statistical report, as of June 2012, the number of Internet users in China had reached 538 million, of which the rural Internet users reached 146 million; Internet penetration rate reached 39.9%.[⑧] At the same time, the development of mobile Internet and mobile phone terminal sees rapid growth in the use of mobile phones in the rural area and a large number of migrant populations. The use of the Internet has become a must for social and economic development and people's daily life. Its role in social and economic development in China is also very obvious.

Thirdly, new technology and products continue to emerge in China, which promotes the transformation of the commodity market and changes people's conceptions of consumption. Knowledge economy has gradually become the development of productivity and economic growth, to implement the core power of economic structural adjustment and industrial upgrading fundamentally. China's GDP increased from 26.6 trillion Yuan to 51.9 trillion Yuan, and now ranks second in the world.[⑨] China is moving towards a more innovative country. For example, breakthroughs were made in developing manned spaceflight and the lunar exploration program, building a manned deep-sea submersible, launching the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, developing supercomputers and building high-speed railways. China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was commissioned. China's productive forces and overall national strength, its living standards and social security, and its international status and influence all improved significantly. Recently, Chinese astronauts gave a live video lecture on gravity to school children on the ground from outer space, which enormously encourages students’ enthusiasm in science and outer space knowledge. The event itself is a remarkable achievement in China’s knowledge society progression.

3.2, Chinese Experiences in Knowledge Society Construction

Firstly, China steadfastly carries out the opening up policy, which vigorously stimulates China's economic development, brings in advanced foreign technologies and managerial expertise. Secondly, China concentrates on the development of science and education. China accelerated implementation of the National Plan for Long- and Medium-Term Scientific and Technological Development; formulated and implemented the National Plan for Long- and Medium-Term Education Reform and Development, the National Plan for Long- and Medium-Term Development of Competent Personnel and the national strategy on intellectual property rights, which promotes progresses in science and technology, education, and culture.Thirdly, China gives high priority to developing education. According to the 18th National Congress of the CPC, government spending on education totaled 7.79 trillion Yuan over the past five years, increasing at an average annual rate of 21.58% to reach 4% of GDP in 2012.[⑩] More importantly, when allocating educational resources, China gives priority to rural, remote, poor and ethnic minority areas. China made free nine-year compulsory education universal across the country. Fourthly, China vigorously promoted innovation. The central government spent 872.9 billion Yuan to develop science and technology in the past five years, with an average annual increase of over 18%. China’s R&D spending accounted for 1.97% of GDP in 2012, up from 1.4% in 2007, and over 74% of this spending was made by companies.[11] China adopted the Guidelines on Deepening Reform of the Management System for Science and Technology and Accelerating Development of a National Innovation System, and carried out a national technology innovation project and a knowledge innovation project, made solid progress in implementing major national R&D projects, and set up a number of national engineering centers, key laboratories and enterprise technology centers.

3.3, Problems in Knowledge Society Construction in China

Despite remarkable achievements, there are still many problems in knowledge society construction in China.

First of all, the disparity between urban and rural areas, between west and east regions is to be addressed. Take the Internet user’s rate in primary and middle school students as an example. In the west region, this rate is below 50%, less than the national average rate of 75% and far lower than the east region level, which is more than 90%.[12] Fortunately, governments at all levels have taken measures to narrow the gap in favor of the rural and west regions.

Secondly, the brain drain will do harm to China’s knowledge society. According to a report on the People’s Daily, although China has become the largest human resource country after 30 years’ opening-up and reform, the brain drain remains to be a server problem. China has lost most of its top talents and experts, among whom about 87% are in the science and technology fields.[13]

Thirdly, reforms are urgently needed in China’s human resource development in order to recruit more top talents, boost their capacities for innovation, enlarge investments in human resource development, and to establish a practical and flexible mechanism of high efficiency in human resource management.

Fourthly, China is facing challenges from the developed countries as well as emerging powers, who continuously amend their immigration laws to attract Chinese experts and talents. It is well-known that talents and experts are kernels of knowledge society construction. To solve the brain drain, the Central Committee of the CPC has approved the Recruitment Program of Global Experts, shortened for Thousand Talents Program. Started in 2008, it is aimed, in 5 to 10 years, to recruit an array of top talents for national important innovation projects, key disciplines and labs, key state-owned enterprises and commercial financial institutions, and high-tech oriented parks. Hopefully, the program will work well, because these scientists and strategists in new science and technology are the future and backbone of China’s knowledge society construction.

IV. Chinese Experiences and Soft Powers

4.1, China’s Experiences as Soft Powers

Since the opening up and reform, China has grown from a poor and backward country into the second largest economy in the world, and achieved remarkable achievements in economic and social development. To a large extent, these can be attributed to the fact that China has been exploring and summarizing a development road commensurate with her own characteristics. China today has many attractions to African counties who are eager to get rid of poverty and develop their economies. Many African countries have cast their eyes to the East, and “Looking East” has not only become an interesting topic, but also constituted an important guiding principle for some African countries’ foreign policy. Almost all of a sudden, the so-called Chinese Model, Chinese Road, or Beijing Consensus, become globally debated hot topics. No wonder Chinese experiences in economic development also become a source of its soft powers in Africa. However, it should be kept in mind that one of the most important experiences of China’s success is to follow a suitable way. In fact, in China’s development road, there’s no plain sailing, but full of difficulties and setbacks now and then. Fortunately, the advantage of Chinese road lies in its remarkable capacities for continuous reforms and adjustments according to changing environments at home and abroad.

4.2,China and Africa learning from each other in Knowledge Society Construction

China, the second largest economy now, is also the most populous country in the world. In China, urban-countryside, east-west disparities in economic and social development are still very sharp. In knowledge society construction, given its poor self-innovation capacities and the rapid development in new ICTs, China has a long way to go to catch up with the developed countries. In this way, like African countries, China is still a developing country with the overall economic and social development being the essential task. Considering the vital role of knowledge society in today’s economic development and social improvement and the increasing economic globalization, there’s common understanding among all countries that much attention should be paid to knowledge society construction, in which opening to the outside world and learning from each other is an effective way. It is the China’s opening up that brings advanced technologies and investments to China. It is the long-lasting China-Africa friendship and cooperation and China’s “Going Global” strategy that makes Chinese factors more and more obvious and important in Africa’s knowledge society building. Along with this process, Chinese people’s knowledge about Africa and the African peoples are enormously enriched, and vice versa.

4.3, Chinese Factors in Knowledge Society Building in Africa

With the development of China-Africa relations, Chinese factors in Africa’s knowledge society building are not new phenomena any more. In the context of economic globalization, it is common sense that expanding international trade, absorbing overseas new technologies and foreign direct investments, and actively participating in international competition are effective ways to acquire knowledge from the global level in knowledge society construction.[14] The effectiveness has been proved by China’s experiences, which can also be used for Africa’s references. Moreover, in Africa’s road to knowledge society, large investment in human resources and new ICTs, and construction in infrastructures are necessary, which are also the main fields of China-Africa cooperation.

China’s human resource (or education) aid to Africa stands out prominently in recent China-Africa relations, especially after the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000. In every three years’ ministerial conference of FOCAC, China grants more scholarships to African students to study in China, continues to send teachers to Africa to help local institutions of higher learning improve their disciplines and specialties, and sets up channels of communications between universities of the two sides for the study of the Chinese and African civilizations; and establishes an African Human Resources Development Fund and gradually increase financial contribution to the Fund for the training of professionals of different disciplines for African countries. In the fifth ministerial conference’s Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015), much more attention than ever before were paid to cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and African countries, which will contribute much to knowledge society building in both sides. Besides the official factors, some private Chinese enterprises also make many direct contributions to Africa’s knowledge society building. A case in point is StartTimes Group. The China-based Company entered African market in 2007, now provides digital television to 1.4 million customers in 14 countries, and hires local employees in each market. It has become the fastest growing digital TV operator in Africa, and playing a positive role in communication and cooperation between China and Africa's broadcast television industry.[15] The private media group saw its subscribers to digital TV programs broadcast in Africa hit 2.5 million early June this year.[16]

Backward infrastructure proves to be a main constraint on African knowledge society construction and the overall economic and social improvements. In China’s development experiences, “to reduce poverty, build road first” is a popular saying. In recent years, China’s contribution to Africa’s infrastructure is well praised across the continent, which brings real benefits to local people’s livelihood. For example, the railway that China constructed in Angola has been an integral part of local people’s livelihood along the line, as what a BBC documentary titled “the Chinese are coming” shows us. The renovation of the TANZARA, the symbol of China-Africa relations, is also under way. Currently, many Chinese companies well-known in building roads, railways, bridges, and telecommunication are actively carrying out projects in various African countries. Undoubtedly, their hard work will help Africa improve their infrastructure, which will lay a solid foundation to Africa’s knowledge society construction.

China is also paying more and more attention to the knowledge production and dissemination in China-Africa relations. In 2010, China has launched China-Africa Joint Research and Exchange Program under the FOCAC to support field studies, academic visits, conference and publication. Some African scholars from South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, and Kenya have participated in the program. Many Chinese scholars have the opportunity to do field studies in Africa in collaboration with their African counterparts. It is highly expected that through this channel, Chinese and African scholars can do research on topics of common interests, and get first-hand knowledge about real China or Africa, other than almost depend on the West media and literature for knowledge like before. In this innovated program, Chinese and African scholars can learn from each other, and produce academic publications of high quality, and contribute to knowledge society construction on both sides.

4.4, Future Research Directions

Knowledge society plays a vital role in a country’s social, economic development, as well as political evolution; thus, building knowledge society has become a common task for each country, big or small, rich or poor. To the developing countries, this task may be even harder, since science and technology is, to a large extent, controlled by the developed countries. China’s experiences shows that there’s no easy way towards knowledge society, nor a common model for every country, which should find out its own way. However, in the context of globalization, each country is not isolated from each other. On the contrary, they are increasingly connected with each other, thanks to the development of modern ICTs. Under these circumstances, the paper’s theme on knowledge society is of particular significance. It not only demonstrates the gaps among various countries, but also explores the possibilities of examples for the countries lagging behind in knowledge society to follow. Future research opportunities may include: what roles the developed countries as well as emerging powers can play in knowledge society building in Africa; and what Africa can contribute to knowledge to the mankind in the new era as it did in the past.

V. Conclusions

Despite great achievements, there’s a long way for China to go toward a knowledge society. China should deepen reform of the management system for science and technology, integrate science and technology more closely with the economy, and establish a technological innovation system, as it did in the past decades. China should focus on priority areas of strategic importance that are vital to China's overall and long-term development, and strengthen basic research and research on frontier and leading technologies, and improve the mechanism for openly sharing scientific and technological resources and, create a fair and open environment for making innovations, keep scientists and technicians fully motivated, and unleash the creativity of the whole society. In China-Africa relations, cooperation in knowledge society can be a new highlight. China’s experiences can serve as reference for African countries, as well as a kind of soft power of China in Africa. Chinese high-tech and ICT enterprises’ engagement in Africa are highly expected to contribute to Africa’s knowledge society construction.

Source of documents：Global Review