China's manned space flight program.

[:) Smiley]

I can see the Chinese setting a target of making the first manned landing on Mars. Such a boast would likely get a US-China space race going.

[DaShi]

Actually, it is unlikely that China will be the number one superpower. They can't compete, they can only keep up. But, even worse for them is that their population is choking the country. After spending some time in China, you don't worry about them becoming a major super power like the US. But it makes them feel good, if you say that they will.

[Dinner]

It is conceivable that the Chinese could become a Super Power but to do so they'd have to keep their house in order and not have any of the great violent up heavels which has characterized the last 200 years of China's history. They'll also need to find a way to prevent the country from doing a USSR style break up which is actually quite likely if the central authority ever breaks down again. The Manchu, Tibet, and the muslim east are all likely candidates for independence if China ever has a major political upheavel like the Soviets had.

Also if the Chinese want to get their per capita income up to1st world standards then they simply must have a century or so of peace and economic progress. Can China maintain growth for that long? I'm not sure but even if they only maintain it for 25 years then they'll still be the largest economy in the world. Of course it will be a large economy where most people still have an appaling standard of living compared to the west but still.

[Dinner]

China has a per capita income of around $800 but the coastal cities have most of it and the vaste interior has crushing poverty. Compare that to the US's per capita income which is around $40,000 per year and you'll see why even if China maintains a 5% higher growth rate it will be a long time before the Chinese catch up.

Will China be able to maintain a 5% higher growth rate then the US? It will be harder and harder since when you start from next to nothing it's easy to get dramatic growth but once you have alot it becomes ever harder to maintain high percentage growth.

[:) Smiley]

The growth rate can continue at 5%, maybe not in the coast, but as infrastructure moves inland, growth can take place there also.

[Nubclear]

Right, which is a lot to do with why China does not want a Korean war. They know that if a Korean war happens it will probaly hurt EVERY econonmy, especially if they get involved.

They can become a superpower. But they must go about VERY carefully. And if theres any luck, they'll be nice and democratic.

[Drake Tungsten]

The main issue for the Chinese seems to be soothing their bruised egos about being a second rate power for most of the last millenium.

I think you'll find that this is a major reason behind most of China's decisions.

[Tingkai]

Well, this is obviously part of a sneaky Chinese plot to take over the world! They must be stopped! First they put a man into space, next they'll be putting soldiers in the backyards of America! It's time for Americans to wake up and smell the coffee. The Chinese are coming, the Chinese are coming, the Chinese are coming (and that's why there's so many of them).

[Flandrien]

China has to be able to send men into space, if they want to be a full partner in the International Space Station project.

[Q Classic]

i'm all for china sending men up to space. why? because it's cool, no matter who does it.

[Verto]

I say we blow the thing out of the sky. Space is ours, you dirty communists.

[mindseye]

China has a per capita income of around $800 but the coastal cities have most of it and the vaste interior has crushing poverty. Compare that to the US's per capita income which is around $40,000 per year

Be careful about such comparisons. Remember the artificial currency disparity.

Examples:
* In San Francisco, a haircut (with tip) cost me about $35. In Shanghai a comparable haircut costs me $2.25.
* Dinner for one at a neighborhood restaurant is about $3.
* A liter of Qing Dao beer is about thirty cents at a supermarket.
* You can buy a new Chinese pickup truck (a small one) for about $5,000, or a Chinese jeep (copy of a Russian jeep) for a little more.
* A recent minor repair to my bicycle set me back 60 cents, including labor.

[mindseye]

I say we blow the thing out of the sky. Space is ours, you dirty communists.

Uh, they (Communists) were there first.

[iamlod]

Originally posted by mindseye

I say we blow the thing out of the sky. Space is ours, you dirty communists.

Uh, they (Communists) were there first.

Yes, but we try to keep that one on the down low...

[Ben Kenobi]

Now maybe Canada can stop sending aid to China, eh?