China's 'rising fortunes'
Rise of an eastern superpower
POPULATION
* 1.3 billion
ECONOMICS
* World's fastest growing economy
* Economy has grown 9.5 per cent annually for 25 years
* GDP quadrupled from 1980 to 2000
* 400 million people have been lifted out of poverty in 25 years
TRADE
* 30th largest US trading partner in 1977; now third
* World's second largest recipient of foreign direct investment
* US exports have grown five times faster than to rest of the world. US corporations have invested more than $50bn in China
* Worker earns 5-10 per cent of an American worker's wage
* 2004: Produced half of all digital cameras and 60 per cent of microwaves, photocopiers and DVD players in the world
POLLUTION
* Has 16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities
* Half of the population has polluted water supply
* Produces 3.7 billion tons of sewage a day
* World's largest consumer of coal; second only to US for oil
MILITARY
* 2005: China says it spent $30bn on its military, the Pentagon says $90bn was spent
* 2000: Estimated size is 2.5 million personnel; 10,000 tanks; 400 nuclear warheads
HEALTH
* 2003: UN estimates 840,000 have HIV
* 17 per cent of people live on less than a $1 a day
* One-third of the world's cigarettes are smoked in China
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Re: China's 'rising fortunes'
I predict the fall in abouut 5-6 years.
Re: China's 'rising fortunes'
I was over there, and I'd say that pretty much all they have is pure attrition and willingness to succumb to the greatest good of the people.
Re: China's 'rising fortunes'
Quote:
Originally Posted by Krazyjane
I was over there, and I'd say that pretty much all they have is pure attrition and willingness to succumb to the greatest good of the people.
... and a completely new generation since all those who disappeared after Tienanmen Square, raised in the information age, becoming adults...
Re: China's 'rising fortunes'
They are going to be a big pain in the ass before they fall:
Guess what - all those pictures of people in rice fields - it ain't all like that. And our media should be more upfront about it.