Maybe my history is off. Was it ever the strongest nation on Earth?

If they where to actually join in on the UN campaigns in both humanitarian efforts and protection of countries including North Korea and Iran nuclear power structures. I'd say yes, but let's look at what the Chinese are, I love Canada, but I'm American, they are the most neutral country as is China. The difference being, China will make money in anyway they can, even making money off of the economic crisis. They lend money and want it back, problem is they still owe money to Europe and America for helping them out of their crisis. But at that time and until today, European and North American policies are still the same, we give you money to dig yourself out, it doesn't have to be paid back, it's not a loan, it's our foreign policy to help you when you are in need. China isn't in debt because they never had to pay back the 1 trillion it borrowed to dig the banks out and boost the Chinese economy in the late 90s and early 2000.

Now that Europe is in trouble and before was America, they are using the same money that bailed them out of their crisis, loaning it out and expecting it paid back with interest. Is this bad,
no, hey you make yours right. But I do think before Chinas hugh housing crisis, coming soon to a theater near you, Europe and the Americas need to rethink their friendship policy with money and other countries. Man, I really enjoyed Bill Clinton as President but wow, how much money did he give to China. Ummm, during Bill's 8 year presidency, China and American relations were at an all time high. He Bill, I'll be your friend for a few billion.

Again?? Do your history... The Europeans always had empires as powerful if not more so. The Chinese empires never really grew larger than modern day China, they simply conquered themselves...

newchina=wenna7????

china was only the most powerful empire when they thought they were alone on the planet, as for the future it all depends on what the international corps want. if they get the europeans , americans , and aussie laborers to lower their standards and those govt to abolish environmental laws then they will go back to manufacturing in those countries (quality workforce). but china would have to be a slave to the wto same as other western countries. therefore china would have fight wars in order to open up markets for the wto. and we've all seen the men here so that's not happening

Actually, if the Chinese people would pay attention to what's going on in other countries, grow some.. cohones, and stand up against injustice and the government, China could absolutely become the most powerful nation on this planet. Revolution begets evolution. Not one powerful country has gotten where it is today without the people standing up against what they felt was wrong without fighting for it. Most revolutionaries start underground, building an army by teaching those willing to listen, strong enough to listen, open-minded enough to listen about justice, fairness, equality, humanity, etc.

Unfortunately, China's gov't has mastered the art of keeping the people... in the dark, spouting tradition as rule. And, unfortunately, it seems that it's the free thinkers that leave China and don't return. It's those people needed to start the ball rolling.

Too many people are afraid to fight for what they believe in. But that's the only way things will change in any situation.

I think China will become a major military rival towards the current superpower, the US, but conflicts are rarely 1 on 1 these days. China's only real friends who would back it up in a conflict are members of the SCO, which is so outclassed by the US and NATO that it's not even funny. China's military is massive but primarily posted on the borders. China has numerous border disputes and I doubt they would be willing to weaken one area to start trouble in another.

Current projections say China will become the largest economy in 15-20 years if the US economy doesn't improve. But after China's ascension it won't be long before it's surpassed by India and as we know, they hate each other's guts. Those border disputes will probably be the biggest flashpoint of the 21st century. Could China be the strongest nation on Earth? Perhaps the single strongest country but it takes more than economic and military might. Being a superpower often requires diplomacy, allies, and tact, things China shows us everyday that it lacks.

You guys are talking about a country that can't even get INDOOR PLUMBING done right, you do realize that, don't you? A country cannot be a super power until you can at least flush toilet paper.

And the numbers people keep quoting about China surpassing the US in 10 or 20 years as an economy are not realistic. EVERY SINGLE ONE of those reports assume the US will stay exactly where it is or decrease and China will maintain is current rates... Then it *MIGHT* happen.

Bad news people... It won't. And here's why:

First, China's current rates are unsustainable. They're funding more and more construction of stuff that nobody wants or needs. Ghost cities anyone? There are entire skyscrapers in Shanghai that are completely empty because people buy them and sit on them creating an artificial property bubble. This will pop at some point.

Second, There are A LOT of companies packing up and leaving or have plans to do so. BIG companies. They're going to Viet Nam, India, Thailand, Cambodia, and other places where labor is dirt cheap. In case you haven't noticed, Chinese employees are asking for more and more and they will no longer work for 300rmb a month. Now they want 3000.

Third, Chinese companies keep proving time and time again that they are untrustworthy scumbags and as the wages increase, the attractiveness of China as a manufacturing base goes down, down, down. This means so will China's GDP.

Fourth, China's new BS law about "turning over technology" to do business in China makes a lot of places suddenly decide to not do business here. You think new tech companies are going to bring their innovation here just to "legally" have it stolen and then get kicked out when 800 crappy copycat companies come out with their versions based on IP they had to turn over?

Fifth, there is ABSOLUTELY ZERO innovation in China.

The numbers sound great on paper, but they have no basis in reality. I guarantee there will be new innovations from the US that will be game changers within this time frame as well. There always are but people seem to just forget about these things when they make up numbers.

The strongest nation on what? I don't think they already made this out before and seriously people who spilts in Restaurant,in the flight,public bus,vomits everywhere, smell like sheeps and pigs? I will kill myself if so 'cause i won't live in that world!