Will China ever be a Superpower?

The United States is concerned with the rise of China and its people. The burgeoning population, military expansion and economic success all contribute to the fear of Chinese domination.


Do you think that China will be a superpower within the next fifty years? Why or why not and back your answers up with facts, not your personal opinion.

Will China ever be a Superpower?
In terms of military strength, China is definitely NOT a superpower. Judging from their (relatively) 'tiny' military budget, I believe they will NOT be a military superpower anytime soon.





In terms of economics and politics, I think they ARE already a superpower. And they have been one FOR QUITE SOME TIME. It's just that the mainstream Western media has not yet recognized that fact.





As the well-known British writer/journalist Lord William Rees-Mogg said in his 2005 article on the TimesOnline website:





"The unanimity (of the forecasts by eminent economists around the world) was astonishing....... What is the prospect for the dollar? That depends on China. The euro? China. The oil price? China. Industrial commodities? China. Global equity markets? China. Bond prices? China. World trade? China. World growth? China"





He then went on to say that: "....In the past two years the growth of Japanese exports to China has accounted for 80% of the growth in the Japanese economy"





Today, the US is in recession, but most of the world is NOT. In the past, that would probably not have been possible. Here in Australia for example, the economy is booming. BUT IF it was China that went down, it would be hard to imagine the Australian economy, together with the rest of the world, would not crash by tomorrow afternoon!





--------------------------





'zzman53064':





Regarding your EDIT question of the need for a strong military: Personally I do NOT believe you need a strong Offensive military capability to become an economic superpower. But I would agree with you that you do need a strong Defensive capability. For that, I believe China ALREADY has.





--------------------------





'zzman53064': Thanks for the question. Perhaps I should explain a little clearer.





In order to qualify as a military superpower, you need both strong offensive and defensive capabilities. China clearly does not yet have significant offensive capabilities. Judging from their (relatively) 'tiny' military budget, the distance between China and the US can only get further apart. (But of course that doesn't mean the situation cannot change in the future). It is based on this reason I say China is not a military superpower.





However, in terms of defensive capabilities, I personally believe China is at a stage where no single individual countries on earth (including the US) have the capability to militarily take on China and then claim any kind of success. That is what I meant by China has 'strong defensive capabilities'
Reply:China probably stands a chance if it tries world domination in the next 50 years. I doubt it would try to dominate the world; its govt knows that war isn't worthwhile. They use capital as their main weapon now to aquire resources. ex-Sudan oil reserves. I bet if China becomes the dominant Superpower, its not going to police the world as the USA is currently. It has been a superpower for around 2000 years before Europeans came over to Asia. In those 2000 years, it hasn't gone all over the place trying to dominate the world.


Analysts: China's economy is going to supass the US economy in size in 2011. China's economy should be in boom age for the next 20-30 years to come.





Military: In weapons it should be able to match the USA in another 15 years. It is said that China is currently working on its 5th generation fighter jet design. The name commonly used by western intelligence angencies is J-xx. China's economy should be in boom age for the next 20-30 years to come.
Reply:What is your definition of superpower:


If you define superpowers as countries which have the most influences, impacts to the world, China has already been a superpower. Last year, Chinese stock market dropped 10% and it sent shock wave to the rest of the world. If you define superpowers as countries which have highest living standard and freedoms =%26gt; China is still a developing countries and is far, far away from even being a superpower.
Reply:As of right now I would have to say China already is a super power.





It already has the worlds largest population. Its economy is doing well mainly because of US trade agreements, and they are a major nuclear power. They have the largest military in the world. (That doesn't mean the best). So yes I would say that they are already a world power.
Reply:China is a superpower. Less than the US of course. Why do I say that? They have the military, the money, the people. Will they be the MAIN superpower in the next fifty years. I think so. They are not facing wars like the US is. They don't get killed every day. Because of that, the US cannot get better militarily at this point and China can.
Reply:I think China will become an economy superpower, perhaps in only about 20 years time only,





But military superpower, I think not, as being a 'military superpower' is more a burden than a prize. Being a superpower inevitably has to engage in geopolitics. As we can see today, being the sole superpower doesn't earn American any respect nor spare US from economic downturn.
Reply:they already are.
Reply:1) Currently US economy is in recession and which around the world is really affected by US recession ? If US is in recession 15-30 years ago it will lead to almost of a global recession. However times have change a lot of countries is importing and export to china. China has established itself globally. The world can live without the US presence but they cannot live without China. If china was to go down. The World will go into recession.





2) Even though china has the world's largest standing army but they have at least 15-20 years behind the US in terms of military technology. With the current modernization budget china's put in, this might even shorten to 5-10 years. As China has the resources to execute it.





However, as of 2008 China are rank #2 in terms of military power in the world.





3) China has been establishing it's influence over the world through trade but not military influnence like the US. Like the chinese recently established influence in Africa and South America.





China / Chinese has a mind set of peace. They raise in peace. Even though I must agree it has some human right issues. But it has already improved a lot over the past 20 years.





You have to give them some time. The world should guide the Super Power instead of bashing them with the media.





The Answer to your Questions is They already are super power.





Cheers
Reply:you can be sure of one thing, china will NEVER be as generous to other countries as the United States Of America EDIT only a prophet or an idiot can give you facts about the future.

vc++