Frankly, no country should fear any other, they should focus more on their own shortcomings, and try to learn from others. At the end of the day, we need to learn from one another, there is always something to learn from each other. We should learn to live harmoniously together, our planet is all we have got and this is a precious planet, let us not ruin it for the sake of our future generations.

What most fail to mention was the growing military prowess of Mainland China in conjunction to her economy bloom which favors China over any other States (Japan – disarmament, India and Brazil – Passionate weapon purchasers) as the eventual successor of the United States.

In addition, we have to be clear that any developing nation has to face a “Cheap Labor” stage. (Although the era was shorter for Japan and South Korea due to the Cold War) Regardless, from personal experience, China is doing extremely well given the current inhibited western technology transfers.

I believe nearly everyone has residual descrimination for China, frankly, I share some too. However, we must recognize truths and embrace them. Otherwise, we will be the ones left descriminated. While 2015 is a bit too early, 2028 isn’t. I am a firm believer of the proverb “The early bird catches the worm.”

If you look at some statistics, China has already overtaken US as the largest auto market, the largest emitter of green house gases, the largest importer of fossil fuel, the largest trading partner of many countries, the largest mobile phone market, the largest foreign reserves, the largest Internet users and the list goes on. China is aggressively upgrading her infrastructure, just only this week, they have announced the fastest train from Guangzhou to Wuhan, using a hybrid of technologies just like what Japan did before they became a technologically advanced nation. China is learning and trust me they are learning fast.

As a Chinese myself, I have one thing to tell you, is that the Chinese has one excellent attribute and that is they are not afraid to work hard to achieve their ambition. I have personally experienced occasions where the Brits in particular, are not interested in work, not that they are lazy but the motivation is not there. I say this is a problem with altitude, if you do not have the right altitude, no one can help you, and you can’t go on blaming anyone but yourself. Coincidentally, history has a uncanny accuracy in predicting the decline of an empire or culture and this trend is just one dimension to that event. So my message to the Brits, please buck up and stop been so rude to others, take a good look at yourself in the mirror, you did well by piggybacking on the riches of others, to be crude you plundered others wealth by your colonising days and wake up, your time is up. If you don’t buck up, you should gladly change your national anthem from God Save the Queen to God Save the Brits, I am not joking, I mean it.

The West has a lot to learn from the Chinese and likewise the Chinese has even more to learn from the West. We should learn to be humble and be respectful of one another, after all this is a small planet and we need to cooperate with each other to ensure we coexist peacefully.

There are alot of challenges in this world and top on the list is climate change. China must take leadership and I sense they know that, they are doing all they can to do their part. The West on their part should work with China on climate change, be diplomatic and don’t push them to a corner. China does not work well if pushed but wonders happen if you persuade.

Before I end here, I do have one thing to tell the Chinese people, money is not everything, you should also learn to share your wealth with the less fortunate. What you have done in Africa is good, building hospitals, bridges, highways, etc and you must keep this up. The Africans are not stupid, they will ask why are you doing this, is there an ulterior motive, so be sincere, do this without asking for something in return. Also, what I think the Chinese people can do better is the treat your own kind better. A culture is only sophisticated if they know how to treat their own well. Stop bullying your own, give them some space to speak their mind, they mean well, do not fear them, give them a channel to voice their concerns. Work with them to improve the situation, not shut them out.

Whether China becomes a superpower in 2015 or not, to me is immaterial. What is important is how we live peacefully together in this planet and make the most of the limited resources we have and ensure that we do not destroy them for the sake of our future generations.

I agree with you on that. Perhaps I should have limited my comments to more sensationalist journalists and economists (and political economists) here in the West who keep wanting to trump up China’s new status as a superpower for a number of reasons: selling newspaper, creating fears/excitement about China relations, etc. I think we all know China is becoming a superpower, but for it to be THE superpower, it will take some time.

Thanks for the compliment. I agree totally with you: I don’t see innovation happening until it is profitable for the Chinese people to become innovative… and even then, it’s hard to say how long it will take to break the rote memorization education cycle.

Demerzel:

Couldn’t agree more. Sometimes I wish reporting wasn’t so sensationalist, but I guess it’s tougher to sell papers without it.

“The Chinese economy isn’t built on innovation and product advancement in the same way that other economies are. The educational system doesn’t embrace such thinking yet. So I doubt that we’ll see that.”

As a teacher in China, I can vouch for your claim that innovative and creative thinking aren’t taught or even encouaged. It’s all rote memorization here, although I have high hopes that will be changing soon. The most popular brands in China are all knock-offs of American/European logos and styles. The general opinion seems to be, why make something new when a copy will do (and is profitable)?

Maybe CNN’s just trying to get back in China’s good graces with fawning commentary and poor reporting?

True, but my goal isn’t to hurt or please people’s feelings. It’s to give good commentary on law and business related issues. Common sense should prevail over people’s feelings–and on the internet and in the blogosphere in particular, that is sadly not the case.