At an Economic History class, we were taught that in the 19th century, the Chinese's private sector didn't take the initiative to build the railroad, and, therefore, the State had to do it as a way of stimulating economic growth and helping private sector to develop and wake it up.
Does anyone know something about this? I don't think this is totally true, maybe a half-truth statement.
Thanks
Isn't this identical to what is taught about the US railroads? I'm not sure. And yes, it is probably poorly researched nonsense, but I doubt much good research exists on China anyway.