I don't think that impression is accurate. Look at plots of: - Chinese per-capita GDP - Chinese overall GDP - Quality of education systems worldwide - Chine

I don't think that impression is accurate. Look at plots of: - Chinese per-capita GDP - Chinese overall GDP - Quality of education systems worldwide - Chinese current military power - Manufacturing might to support the above, if placed on a war footing. I'm not sure China is the enemy (and that's not a leading statement -- relations are ambiguous, and I'm genuinely not sure of where they are or will head) That said, every nation makes many false moves, many true ones, and many more in between. For all the things China is doing [right / wrong], there are just as many which are the opposite.