>>>Now, define power.
>>
>>Well I know that they're hungry for it (economical, military and ... well, power - coal, gas, oil) and if they don't get the last then we might see more of the 2nd, paid for by the 1st.
>>
>>At any rate, by mid-century they will be you guys, and you will be us, and we'll be them :-)
>
>That was clever!
>
>That said, I don't wholly agree with you. There is little question China will continue to grow in influence, due to its population and increasing economic and military might. We agree there. But I don't see them taking on the superpower role the U.S. occupies now. Remember everyone saying the same things about Japan 25 years ago?

No I don't remember anyone saying that of Japan - well, maybe as an economic power - but their military power was curtailed by restrictions imposed after WW II wasn't it. Whereas China was an ally, HAS the bomb, HAS space flight, HAS the manpower for sure.

>I think the main reason it didn't happen was Japan is basically inward-looking, not outward-looking, and I think the same is true of China.

Well since WW II Japan hasn't been viewed as potentially beligerent, whereas China ... its own bloody civil war, Korea, Tibet, (Vietnam?)

> ... Nor is it easy to picture China as a country anyone other than Asians wants to immigrate to.
Well not after Tienamin Sq. Besides - they're "full up" aren't they?