Opinsy: China is the world's next great superpower

Read the article at guardian.co.uk
published in culture & politics , tagged under China, Beijing, global, reporter, Teng Biao, Ai Weiwei, Hu Jia, Chen Guangcheng, building site, social network

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The relevant URL for this opinion makes the case for China as the next great superpower.

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thelegendcontin says: Brasil and India are making progress too, and it is going fast. In both ways: economic and cultural. It will be the BRIC countries in general who are going to be superior. (Brasil, India, Russia, China)

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Amy Berger says: Undoubtedly, China has 'played' the former superpowers, by using their Western values against them. Government controlled capitalism, (an obvious dichotomy) has allowed China to speak the language of capitalism, while refusing the social freedom that the system implies. Americans have played into their hands by purchasing their cheaper goods, allowing them to produce what Americans have designed, and surrendering our ability to manufacture anything at all to defend ourselves. The US is now a nation that has lost the knowledge and capital it needs to rise out of its socialist-treehugging ashes. China has capitalized on our weakness and shortsitedness and appears to be on a fast train to economic, military, and popular dominance.

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Fiona Beth says: It stories like these which make you realise what a long way China has to come despite its enormous wealth and prosperity in business terms: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/19/children-die-bins-china

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Alex Fox says: China is almost as rich as the USA

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South Park Fan says: China is economically a super power but what about militarily? Financially China can be recognized as a key player, but in order to be recognized as a full on super power China has a long way to go. Due to current stipulations and regulations put under UN Law it is impossible for China to reach that extent without risking a global scale war, in which either the East or West or both would be crushed, in which case there would be no superpower. China next superpower? I dont think so.

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CH Wyatt says: China has developed a stealth(y) fighter and a low radar signature long range UAV and is making leaps in network-centric warfare. It has a long way to go, and espionage and Russian technology, rather than home-grown Chinese technology has helped. But it has made huge progress. The Chinese armed forces of today are very different from the China of the 70s and 80s. It is leaner (in comparison) and better trained. China is not at the same level as the US, but if it carries on at this rate, it will catch up.

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Andy says: China is doing great at the moment, and on it's current economic path they are positioned to turn into a superpower - but I think there will be a democratic revolution before there's time for this to happen

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Ste says: I'm surprised how little this debate focuses on other countries who could trump China, rather than simply just the USA and whether China could rival it. Surely Russia, with its rich mineral resources and intact military, along with significant landmass could easily become a superpower (again). Or even, the European Union, whose continuing integration of member states and growth could become a 'super power' in itself. I think there are other options outside of China who are more likely to become 'super' first, and thus disagree that they are the next 'great'.

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alexicon says: There no issue with the fact that China is big and is spreading its influence in places like Africa. It is alreay a majot world force economically but the term superpower means a nation that has at least a share of political and military influence across the globe. Currently Chinas economic might relaies upon servicing the wests needs with cheap goods. As the reession shows it is reliant on the west for this and it needs to turn this into other nations being reliant on it in a potitical sense China is still down the league; it looks inward to control its people rather than outward to infuence other nations, In a military sense China looks inward also, thankfully, and it would require involvement in in other parts of the world, though military influence to become a superpower. All these may change and China may step up to be like the Russians were last century, but it will be hard to compete for influence withthe west while its economy and growth are reliant on it. Furthermore the world is changing. If you accept the reality of global warming, China will be badly hit by rising sea levels and as its traditional apprachis isolationist it is likely to divert its attention inwards to feal with this. if you don't accept global warming, then between now and 1000 years hence there is the certainty of a new ice age. If that is later, China will easily have time to become a great power, but should it come sooner, the world will suffer disaster and China will be badly affected and isolated. So overall my view is that China has a lot of changing to do to become a superpower and it cannot be glibly assumed it will happen,

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Aaron Eamer says: If China pulled themselves from a number of things it would cause a huge mass of issues for the rest of the active business world. One of the most widely spoken languages and along with Japan, Asia together hold a lot of the technological market production that is needed/wanted worldwide.

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Chandler Lee says: I am a Chinese. China may become a superpower w.r.t economy, but it will wait for a long time for China to become a real superpower w.r.t culture. In some aspect, culture, or "soft power", usually has greater impact on today's world.

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53singularfish says: But will the US be stronger than China. It depends what we are measuring this on surely? For example, if you look at the penetration of China in Africa, the US doesn't even come close however the traditional view of Africa is depressed in the West and hence China will monopolise and dominate the natural resources available there. This is why the US will end up in a number 2 position, and without even knowing it.

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Paulo Sergio Martins says: To the extent that it precludes the United States from great superpower status at the same time as China, I disagree. Of course, China will rival the US, but the US will not simply disappear, they'll be strong for very long still

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Oraj Bodur says: Believe it or not China has a limit to its growth. It already is a force to be reckoned but they will not go anywhere if they don't do the right investments. There's also the case of the perception of "human rights in China" in other countries which could have a very important role in its recognition from other superpowers.

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Jun Huang says: Honestly, I cannot say that everyone of us are becoming more open. But I also think the "open" here is hard to define. Everyone becomes more international? Well I can say even a 3 years old Chinese can speak English! But it doesn't mean that we are open. Open is about mind, young -generation and furture. There are lots of disadvantages in China, you know, bureaucratism, the wealth gap...We are also banned from Facebook, YouTube...But you know what? We also feel sorry about this, while we find ways to free our minds. So I can also Facebook, Twitter or go to TechCrunch to communicate with others.

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cheeks654 says: China is economy is growing and is offering developing countries an alternative investment to the US. Countries in Africa and South America are willing to trade and do business with China not just because it is cheaper but because China is willing to train and employee indigenous staff rather than employee foreign nationals.

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Jun Huang says: I am a guy from China, happy to see such a question here. In fact, as most general Chinese citizens, we don't care about China to be or not to be a surperpower. But we do hope that our country will be stronger than before, back to 1949s. We are becoming more international and eye-opened. Cause we want learn more things from other countries. Guess that's why I am here. Something related to politic are beyond our comments. Both of us have no idea what the fact is. We ordinary Chinese is friendly to every country.

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Starscrrazy says: @vampirecry - its great to hear a view from China like this. Do you feel the country is actually becoming more open?

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Oregonazrae43l says: If military might alone was a measure. If economic potential alone was a measure. If geographical reach was a measure. Ultimately, China has all of these things in buckets. There was no sensible alternative.

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Happy_jade says: I think China's reach and influence is over-rated. Given that wester culture has largely the greatest influence on modern global events, I can't see why this case is made, its certainly not made strongly.

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Hugi39 says: Again, this all boils down to domestic market. What we have here is a country as dense as India and Brazil, with twice the discipline. Its communist roots no doubt helpful. Of course they're the next major superpower.

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Scorpiaknotty says: More than just freaking out, their investment foothold in the US, their takeover of Africa, better start learning Mandarin pretty quick

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Cracklechips says: China had great progress in controlling its population. Now it's focusing its effort in controlling the world's economy. Almost all our gadgets now have China made parts, which is enough to freak me out.

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Blackbird says: China will not become the next great superpower unless they control the growth of their population. Increased polpulation means more food and shelter and more money to provide for the basic need of man.

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