Thriving in the global economy: what China and the U.S. must do.

• Author: Friedman, Thomas L.
• Position: OPINION - Brief article

I am not ready to cede the 21st century to China. No question, China has led an impressive effort to end illiteracy, greatly increasing its number of high school, grads and new universities. But rigor and competence, without freedom, will take the country only so far. It is hard to produce a culture of innovation in a country that censors Google--which for me is a proxy for restricting people's ability to imagine and try anything they want. China will have to find a way to loosen up, without losing control, if it wants to be truly innovative. But white China can't thrive...