Is China a global innovation powerhouse?

Seneca(US)

Patents do not necessarily mean innovations; some of these patents are intellectual property of foreign owners who register their designs with Chinese patent offices to make sure their intellectual property rights are protected even in copy-mad China. China does not even adequately protect those. There's hardly any "innovation" coming from China.

China's NextEV unveiled an all-electric supercar in London, Nov 21, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]