China’s Global Leadership in charts, lists, facts and figures

In this article we look at the place that China has carved out for itself in the world. Rather than repeating the American mainstream press narratives, we just present the charts, facts and figures and let them do all the talking. China is more than a growing nation. Today it is a predominant nation that is in the process of successfully eclipsing the United States as a global leader.

What I want to do is just present the facts, and let the reader come to their own conclusions.

Reichert and Bognar are clearly on the side of the workers, both American and Chinese, yet their film is no Michael Moore polemic.  It's an old-school observational documentary in the very best sense of  the term. They don't approach the Fuyao story with a thesis, don't  dehumanize the Chinese, don't tell us what to think. Working with 1,200  hours of footage — heroically edited by Lindsay Utz — they have amazing  access to a complex economic reality that is touchingly hard on workers. 

- Work Cultures Clash When A Chinese Company Reopens An 'American Factory'  

I am posting this on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Communist Chinese nation. It’s a really, really big event out here. To quote one of my favorite presidents; “It’s bigly great!“.

Introduction

A vast majority of Americans have absolutely no clue how advanced China has become.

You don’t need to take my word for it. All you need to do is take a gander at the comments on social media. It’s a recycled bunch of “off the cuff”, dismissive nonsense that has been spewing forth from the mainstream media outlets for the last thirty years.

Many of the comments are all “boiler plate” smug nonsense. A quick word here, a phrase there, a snide comment. No serious discussion aside from “I have an engineering friend that visited China a few years ago and he reported it was a dump.

If you hop on to any of the American social media platforms, especially (for some reason) the conservative platforms, you will discover such comments as…

  • “China is 100 years behind”
  • “All Chinese products are crap”
  • “China can’t innovate”
  • “It’s a communist, poor, polluted country”
  • “It’s infrastructure is collapsing”

…not to forget the specific “issues” that are all boilerplate responses…

  • “…cross removal on churches…”
  • “…eating dogs and cats…”
  • “…Tiananmen square massacre…”
  • “…ghost cities…”
  • “…One child policy…”
  • “…Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps!”
  • …Chinese people long for democracy…”

… and, of course, the most popular theme is…

  • “China’s economy is about to collapse.”

It’s hard to change these opinions, since those people reinforce their biases by gleefully consuming and sharing only anti-China articles.

Anything even remotely positive about China is attacked as “Chinese propaganda.”

CNN reports on killer hornet in China. Yikes! But also places Hong Kong in South America. What is the funniest thing about this is that not one American noticed the geographical error. They were all far too busy worring about giant zombie-like killer hornets!
CNN reports on killer hornets in China. Yikes! But also places Hong Kong in South America. What is the funniest thing about this is that not one American noticed the geographical error. They were all far too busy worrying about giant zombie-like killer hornets! If I ever come across giant zombie killer hornets, I will write about it. I promise!

The truth is that America media has created an echo chamber that boxes Americans in. It holds them in a state of near constant fear, so that others (often powerful multinational corporations) can manipulate them for profit and personal gain. This is not good. This is quite awful. The reason that this is dangerous, and awful is because…

The American government requires an alert and well-informed citizenry to function properly.

Do a picture / image search for “dogs in china”. One is a United States search engine; Bing. The other is a Chinese search engine; Baidu.  Now look at the difference in the photos found. Big difference indeed. If you search using American search engines, and American web sites you will get the idea that the Chinese hates dogs. You would get the idea that they eat them and treat them brutally.

American search engines are propiganda tools.
The photo results when using an American search engine (Bing) for the term “Dogs in China”. Pretty terrible. Eh? The Chinese must really HATE dogs. Don’t you think?

When the real truth is that the Chinese love dogs like their very own children. They dress them up in clothes, including socks and shoes.  (Even my dog Shao Pi has sock, shoes, a coat, underwear, sunglasses, a cap and his very own backpack.) They have hairstyles and perms that they give the dogs. They groom them in pet salons, and offer them high-end doggie hotel accommodations, complete with dog-friendly television shows. It is a completely stark mind-blowing difference.

Yet, you know you would think that the US media would WANT to show this bizarre behavior to the American public. It is, after all, newsworthy. But they don’t. Anything that shows China in a positive light is suppressed.

Chinese show non-propigandized search results.
The photo results when you use a Chinese search engine (Baidu) for the search term “Dogs in China”. You know, the Chinese really love their dogs and treat them as children.

This ignorance is dangerous

This potent mix of ignorance and hubris is also precisely why western corporations acted like they have towards China. They gladly and voluntarily shared their intellectual property (IP) with their Chinese joint-venture partners. They had nothing to fear from a “back-woods”, “third-rate”, “third world”, “shit hole” country.

So they just gave away their intellectual secrets. The Chinese were “too backward”, “not progressive enough”, a “third world shithole” and would never grow to be competitive.

It's like a 12 year old boy being "edged on" to wrestle with a grizzly bear. He doesn't know any better, and all his "friends" are telling him to "go ahead, you can do it".

But, you know, the grizzly bear won't play. And the boy, in his ignorance, will be literally eaten alive. And the friends, the very ones that edged him on, will scurry for the hills in fear and terror.

Ah. American industry was so strong, so powerful, so invincible. There was nothing that they couldn’t do, and nothing that they were afraid of.

So they gleefully shared American technology and “know how” with their Chinese counterparts.

The American government requires an alert and well-informed citizenry to function properly.

It’s silly in hindsight. The term “forced technology transfer” was invented retroactively, and only after Chinese corporations started threatening western profits.

  • Huawei has overtaken Apple, Nokia and Ericsson in smartphones, 5G and telecom infrastructure.
  • BYD manufactures more electric vehicles than Tesla.
  • Alibaba and Tencent process 50x more mobile payments than the US.
  • The most valuable (ByteDance) and the most innovative (Meituan) startups are Chinese.

But all this is disguised, camouflaged, hidden or obfuscated by ignorance and a lack of useful comparative measurements. For instance, if you judge the usefulness of a automobile steering wheel by the same characteristics as a buggy-whip, you will end up being misinformed as towards utility, usefulness, and quality.

We are often deceived by our ignorance.

Let’s look at where China is today, where it is heading, and what it means. For ease of convenience, I have grouped the charts by utility and usefulness.

Group [A] Economic Advantage

Here we try to gauge a measure of economic advantage a normal and typical person might have in a given nation. Can people live, eat have babies and families in the nation without undue hardship? This can (potentially) be measured by a nation’s GDP.

In general, the greater the GDP, the greater the advantage the family might have relative to the rest of the world. It’s a reasonably fine general gauge.

In general, the greater the GDP, the greater the advantage the family might have relative to the rest of the world.
In general, the greater the GDP, the greater the advantage the family might have relative to the rest of the world.

It is not, nor should it ever be, a comprehensive indicator of how successful a given nation might be in providing “opportunity” for it’s citizenry. Rather it is a general indicator for predicting relative average familial prosperity geographically on a national basis.

I argue that it is easy to misinterpret the values that the GDP represents. Therefore, it should be considered not as an absolute, but rather as a guideline as to the success of any given nation.

In this regard, it is clear that China is near equals with the United States in GDP ratios with some "wiggle room" in allowances for methodology considerations.

[A1] GDP per capita

We start with the GDP per capita. The good news here for Americans is that the American GDP per capita is untouchable. America has the largest GDP per capita in the world.

Per capita GDP is a measure of the total output of a country that takes gross domestic product (GDP) and divides it by the number of people in the country. The per capita GDP is especially useful when comparing one country to another, because it shows the relative performance of the countries. 

With the income approach,  the GDP of a country is calculated as its national income plus its  indirect business taxes and depreciation, as well as its net foreign  factor income. 

-Investipedia

It’s a measure of the NET AVERAGE success of the net average citizen in a specific nation.

It is computed using United States dollars. The rating is based on the amount of United States dollars a nation uses.

Thus, the United States, being the world’s largest user of United States dollars, would of course, have the highest GDP per capita in the world.

GDP per capitia is a measure of the NET AVERAGE success of the net average citizen in a given nation.
GDP per capita is a measure of the NET AVERAGE success of the net average citizen in a given nation. If a nation has a good GDP then the citizens are afforded the ability to start and launch their own business with the resources that they might have on hand.

Of course, this is a general indicator. Some people will be rich and some people will be poor. But the net average person in the target nation would be adequately described by this measurable.

  • Nations that have very rich individuals and very poor individuals might have a GDP-per-capita somewhere in the middle.
  • Nations that have an overall good standard of living for everyone (rich and poor) might have a GDP-per-capita somewhere at the top.
  • Nations that have a generally poor standard of living for the vast bulk of the population would have a GDP-per capita somewhere at the bottom.

The bad news about this indicator is that can be deceiving.

A nation can have a top GDP-per capita rating and still have most of it’s people living in poverty. This can happen when a handful of the ultra-rich controls the vast bulk of the wealth.

In itself, it’s not really useful simply because no nation (aside from the tiniest nations) are truly homogeneous. What is useful, however, is to use it in conjunction with other measurables. Then it becomes a useful tool to help predict future economics of nations.

The World's Top 10 Largest Economies
When it comes to the top national economies globally, although the order may shift around slightly from one year to the next, the key players are usually the same. At the top of the list is the United States of America, which according to Investopedia, has been at the head of the table going all the way back to 1871.

However, as has been the case for a good few years now, China is gaining on the U.S., with some even claiming that China has already overtaken the U.S. as the world’s Number 1 economy.

Some things to watch out for in an over-reliance on the GDP-per-capita charts and tracking…

  • Calculations on GDP/capita are only valid for nations trading solely in US dollars.
  • Nations that trade in other currencies (either fully or partially) will pull their GDP-per-capita rating lower than their actual value calculated.
  • In 2012, nearly eight years ago, China conducted trade with 20% being in the Yuan, and 80% in the USD.
  • Presently we can expect that the percentage of international trade in the yuan / USD to be much higher in 2019. Thus, this fact alone will render any GDP-per-capita calculation meaningless for a nation such as China that trades in other currencies and commodities.
The GDP-per-capita value assigned for China is deceptively low. It assumes that 100% of national trade is conducted in United States Dollars. 

When in actuality, China trades in USD, yuan, petrol-dollars, and commodities. 

[A2] PPP GDP

China is #1 in PPP GDP. It is been so since 2014 when it surpassed the US). PPP GDP is another indicator that is useful in measuring geographical “advantage” for families.

PPP recalculates a country's GDP as if it were being priced in the United States. The CIA World Factbook calculates PPP to compare output between countries. 

It estimated that China's 2017 GDP was $23.1 trillion. It's much more than the U.S. GDP of $19.4 trillion. Aug 29 2019 

-The Balance
Real GDP
United States and China are the two largest economies of the world in both Nominal and PPP method. US is at top in nominal whereas China is at top in PPP since 2014 after overtaking US. Both country together share 40.75% and 34.27% of total world’s GDP in nominal and PPP terms, respectively in 2019. GDP of both country is higher than 3rd ranked country Japan (nominal) and India (PPP) by a huge margin. Therefore, only these two are in competition to become first.

[A3] Nominal GDP

America is #1 in nominal GDP.

China is #2 in nominal GDP ($13.5 trillion in 2018). And it’s as big as the next 4 countries combined! This nominal GDP, as long as it is associated with people who manufacture goods within a nation, can also be a useful indicator.

GDP is the total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a given year. In Nominal method, market exchange rates are used for conversion.

United States is largest economy of world at nominal (exchange rate) basis. With economy of around $17.4 trillion, United States holds a 22.53 percent share of global GDP in nominal terms. 

GDP of United states is $7039 billion more than second ranked China. 

China contributes 13.43% of total world economic output. 

Despite loosing $303 billion in 2014, Japan is still at number 3. Japan is now ahead of Germany by $757 billion. Top ten countries are : United States, China, Japan, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Brazil, Italy, Russia and India. 

-Statistic Times
United States and China contributes 35.96% of world's GDP. Top 3 countries contributes 41.93% of world's GDP. Top 5 countries shares 50.74% of world's GDP. Top 10 countries contributes 65.3% of world's GDP.
United States and China contributes 35.96% of world’s GDP. Top 3 countries contributes 41.93% of world’s GDP. Top 5 countries shares 50.74% of world’s GDP. Top 10 countries contributes 65.3% of world’s GDP.

However, this can be deceiving. The rebranding of imported products can artificially inflate this value. Which, is exactly what has happened in the United States.

According to this indicator, every iPhone in the United States is manufactured in the United States simply because it is listed as a final good. But, this is not true. Every iPhone is actually manufactured in China. It is then shipped to the USA, stored in warehouses, and sold. The American company profits from this. But no American worker does. The Chinese worker does.

Remember…

GDP is the total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a given year.  

I argue that if you were to subtract the imported final goods from this equation, that the nominal GDP for America would be half of what it is currently listed as. Thus, making China #1 in nominal GDP actual.

Group [B] Exports & Exported Products

A nation that manufactures things is able to provide labor and purpose for it’s citizenry. When people are safe, secure and providing a meaningful role in their community, they tend to be happy and satisfied with their social-economic position.

The export of products and manufactured items is an indicator of the value of the parts so made. This value can fall under one of three characteristics. Either it is of high quality, it is cheap, or it is made quickly.

On every level, China is superior in the manufacture, export, shipping and supply chain management of parts, things and assemblies all over the globe.

[B1] Exports

China is #1 in exports (been so since 2009 when it overtook Germany). This should not be a surprise to anyone.

China’s dominance in trade has been a key driver of this metamorphosis and economists at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have put out a report outlining the progress as well as some of the challenges confronting China as the economy continues to evolve.
China’s dominance in trade has been a key driver of this trade metamorphosis and economists at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have put out a report outlining the progress as well as some of the challenges confronting China as the economy continues to evolve.

[B2] Container Traffic

China is #1 in container traffic (40% of global market). This should not be a surprise to anyone.

Infographic on shipping container traffice from China compared to the United States.
Infographic on shipping container traffic from China compared to the United States.

[B3] Importation of products

America is the #1 importer of products.

China is the #2 importer of products. ($2.1 trillion) It is behind the United States in this role. Most of the products that China imports originate out of the United States.

This is a measure of the relative health of the consumer market. When people are buying things, the consumer market is healthy. As many raw materials are imported, such as metals, and oil, it is also a reflection of the health of a nations industrial might.

China is the #2 importer of products. ($2.1 trillion) It is behind the United States in this role.
China is the #2 importer of products. ($2.1 trillion) It is behind the United States in this role.

China imports precious metals from Africa, oil and gas from the Middle East, and recyclable trash from the United States.

[B4] Manufacturing Value Added

China is #1 in manufacturing value added (been so since 2010 when China overtook it from the US, which had been #1 for the previous 110 years).

China is the world's leader in the manufacture of value added parts, components and assemblies.
China is the world’s leader in the manufacture of value added parts, components and assemblies.

In layman’s terms, “value added” is the relative value of what you get for your money.

  • High value added; Movie + fresh buttered popcorn + icy cold soda + wide comfortable reclining seats + VIP discount coupons.
  • Low value added; Discount matinee movie in an non- air-conditioned theater.
Life is too short for cheap beer.
Life is too short for cheap beer.

When a nation starts selling things that are low value added, they will offer generic products, discount products, and reduced value items. Conversely, when a nation sells high value things, they would rely on high quality and brand names to sell the products.

Value Added

In business, the difference between the sale price and the production cost of a product is the unit profit. In economics, the sum of the unit profit, the unit depreciation cost, and the unit labor cost is the unit value added. Summing value added per unit over all units sold is total value added. Total value added is equivalent to revenue less outside purchases (of materials and services). 

- Wikipedia 

Group [C] The Health of the National Currency

A healthy currency is one that goes a long way in purchasing things. Gold is considered a healthy currency for just this reason. It tends to always go up in value. Likewise, an unhealthy currency is one that loses value over time. Such as being subject to inflation.

China's currency is healthy. The Chinese government has taken great care in the husbanding of the currency and unlike the United States, did not hand over the financial management of the nations' economy to bankers (like the United States did with the Federal Reserve).

[C1] Foreign Exchange Reserves

China is #1 in foreign exchange reserves (>$3 trillion).

The more foreign exchange reserves a nation has, the greater the stability of it’s currency and it’s banking industry is. A strong forex means it is difficult for the nation to suffer through depressions, downturns and recessions.

Maybe President Trump should of thought about this before he tried to press the tariff issue with the Chinese. Eh?

China has the healthiest forex reserves in the world. The United States has the weakest (and most dangerous levels) of forex reserves, followed by the UK.

Foreign exchange reserves take the form of banknotes, deposits, bonds, treasury bills, and other government securities. Foreign exchange reserves are a nation’s backup funds in case of an emergency, such as a rapid devaluation of its currency.
Foreign exchange reserves take the form of banknotes, deposits, bonds, treasury bills, and other government securities. Foreign exchange reserves are a nation’s backup funds in case of an emergency, such as a rapid devaluation of its currency.
Foreign exchange reserves (also called forex reserves or FX reserves) are cash and other reserve assets held by a central bank or other monetary authority that are primarily available to balance payments of the country, influence the foreign exchange rate of its currency, and to maintain confidence in financial markets. Reserves are held in one or more reserve currencies, nowadays mostly the United States dollar and to a lesser extent the euro. 

- Wikipedia 

[C2] Holder of US Debt

China is the #1 holder of US debt (>$1 trillion).

When you hold the debt of the United States, the USA government must pay you the interest on that debt. It’s a source of income for you.

Holding the debit of an other nation provides numerous benefits for the person holding the debt. One [1] your economy can ride out any fluctuation in the market by the success of another nation. [2] You can control the economy of another nation by buying or selling off your debt.

One of the most common concerns of the government is to earn lots of  funds to be able to make everything in the vicinity of their country in  its proper order. Due to these, governments are seen typically to have  their debt from other countries that they are paying either through the  use of their current income as well as the issuance of new bonds. When a  country will be doing their debt monetization there is a possibility  that the presence of inflation would appear.  It is a process wherein  the issuance of the debt to be able to finance all its spending and the  printing of the money by the central back are observed.

Inflation  is greatly connected with the so called quantitative easing in other  countries to lessen the governments’ burdens when it comes to their  debts. The highest scale of this particular type of condition was seen  to be common in the US. They have the so called Federal balance sheet to  determine the quantity of their debts from other countries. Federal  Reserve will be the one in charge of handling and holding the of every  US debt of the country. 

-Brandon Gialle
China reclaims title as biggest foreign holder of US debt. The two countries account for more than a third of the total foreign ownership of US Treasury securities. Investors have been closely scrutinising China’s ownership of Treasuries after the country spent a portion of its foreign exchange reserves last year to defend the renminbi.
China reclaims title as biggest foreign holder of US debt. The two countries account for more than a third of the total foreign ownership of US Treasury securities. Investors have been closely scrutinizing China’s ownership of Treasuries after the country spent a portion of its foreign exchange reserves last year to defend the renminbi.

Group [D] Global Partner to other Nations

A nation that is friends and supportive to other nations is one that can be relied upon when things go wrong. While the USA has been involved in wars all over the globe, China has been trying to build bridges, assist in economic development and offering educations to the poor around the world.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) (一带一路) is an ambitious programme to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks along six corridors with the aim of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. 

- Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) 
The Belt and Road Initiative is a grand plan to connect Asia with Europe and Africa in a monumental trade and infrastructure network. Aimed at promoting prosperity for countries across the world, it was proposed by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.  China calls it a "modern Silk Road" with plans to build six major economic corridors generating hundreds of thousands of jobs.  Apart from free trade, the plan would provide opportunities for peace and inclusiveness, said President Xi at the forum, adding that old models based on rivalry and diplomatic power games should be abandoned, reported Reuters.
The Belt and Road Initiative is a grand plan to connect Asia with Europe and Africa in a monumental trade and infrastructure network. Aimed at promoting prosperity for countries across the world, it was proposed by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. China calls it a “modern Silk Road” with plans to build six major economic corridors generating hundreds of thousands of jobs. Apart from free trade, the plan would provide opportunities for peace and inclusiveness, said President Xi at the forum, adding that old models based on rivalry and diplomatic power games should be abandoned, reported Reuters.

There are various measures of being a good “global neighbor”. Here are some of them…

Rather than fight an endless stream of wars, China has decided that it would be a far better friend than an enemy to other nations. As such they are openly conducting relationships, trade and establishing trade routes so that the world within their sphere can prosper together.

[D1] Primary trading partner with most of the world.

China is the #1 trade partner for 130 countries (trade = exports + imports). And for 37 countries, China is also their #1 export destination (meaning, they sell the most goods to China).

In 2017, China major trading partner countries for exports were United States, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, Rep. and Vietnam and for imports they were Korea, Rep., Japan, Other Asia, nes, United States and China.
In 2017, China major trading partner countries for exports were United States, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea, Rep. and Vietnam and for imports they were Korea, Rep., Japan, Other Asia, nes, United States and China.

[D2] Contribution to Global Growth

China is the #1 leader in contribution to global GDP growth for the past decade (25-35%, which is twice that of the US). That is, if the world GDP grows by $100, then $25-$35 comes from China.

 China is expected to account for fully 73% of total growth of the so-called BRICS grouping of large developing economies.
China is expected to account for fully 73% of total growth of the so-called BRICS grouping of large developing economies.

[D3] Production of Construction Materials

China is by far, #1 in steel, cement, aluminum production (link, link, link). In three years (2012 – 2015), China used more cement than the US did in the entire 20th century (link)!

Check out these graphs that shows just how dominant China is in all these fields…

China dominates the world in the production of steel. No other nation or region of nations comes close.
China dominates the world in the production of steel. No other nation or region of nations comes close.
China dominates the world in the production of steel. No other nation or region of nations comes close.
China dominates the world in the production of steel. No other nation or region of nations comes close.
China dominates the world in the production of aluminum. No other nation or region of nations comes close.
China dominates the world in the production of aluminum. No other nation or region of nations comes close.
China currently produces over half of the world’s cement. Global cement production is expected to increase from 3.27 billion metric tons in 2010 to 4.83 billion metric tons in 2030. In China, the cement production in 2015 amounted to some 2.31 million tons.
China currently produces over half of the world’s cement. Global cement production is expected to increase from 3.27 billion metric tons in 2010 to 4.83 billion metric tons in 2030. In China, the cement production in 2015 amounted to some 2.31 million tons.
If you remember just one thing from this article, it would probably be this infographic
If you remember just one thing from this article, it would probably be this infographic.

[D4] China leads the world in the manufacture of automobiles.

China is #1 in manufacture of conventional cars (>26 million per year). In manufacturing, it is always the “large players” that will dominate the industry. They will set the trends, the styles, and the regulations.

How has China become such a dominant economic power? Part of the reason  is its booming auto industry. To illustrate, the total number of autos  sold last year in China was 24.6 million. This dwarfs total auto sales  in the U.S. last year, which hit a record 17.5 million cars and trucks.  In addition, SUV sales in China increased a whopping 52% in 2015.  China’s auto industry is thriving and should provide stiff competition  for U.S. auto manufacturers in the years ahead. 

- Forbes
The Chinese automobile sector has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, with China recently becoming the world's largest producer of automobiles. Given the steel-intensive nature of automobile production, the expansion of China's automobile sector has seen it become an important end-user of steel. With the number of cars in China still very low relative to its large population, car sales are likely to remain at a high level for the foreseeable future; accordingly, Chinese car makers should remain a significant (and growing) source of demand for steel.
The Chinese automobile sector has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, with China recently becoming the world’s largest producer of automobiles. Given the steel-intensive nature of automobile production, the expansion of China’s automobile sector has seen it become an important end-user of steel. With the number of cars in China still very low relative to its large population, car sales are likely to remain at a high level for the foreseeable future; accordingly, Chinese car makers should remain a significant (and growing) source of demand for steel.

[D5] High-Technology manufacture

China is #2 in hi-tech manufacturing (Yeah, China isn’t just making rubber duckies anymore).

The narrative from the American mainstream media has always been that China can only copy. They cannot innovate.

This should be considered a specious argument as China has fully invented and implemented 5G technology, while American industry is still struggling on developing it.

People! You cannot copy something that hasn’t been invented yet.

5G 3GPP's 5G logo Introduced Late 2018 by the Chinese Huawei, 5G is the fifth generation cellular network technology. 

The industry association 3GPP defines any system using "5G NR" software as "5G", a definition that came into general use by late 2018. Others may reserve the term for systems that meet the requirements of the ITU IMT-2020. 3GPP will submit their 5G NR to the ITU. 

It follows 2G, 3G and 4G and their respective associated technologies. 
A global power shift in the technology sector is underway. Decades ago, China was viewed as a mere imitator in the technology world. The international tech community regarded Chinese companies as more likely to copy western products than develop their own innovative ideas.
A global power shift in the technology sector is underway. Decades ago, China was viewed as a mere imitator in the technology world. The international tech community regarded Chinese companies as more likely to copy western products than develop their own innovative ideas.

Group [E] Personal Success

It is the internal yearning of man to improve his lot. That includes his children and the lifestyle of his family. We look at ability to grow as a family in success as well as the ability for companies to grow and succeed. How does China stack up in this regard…

China is catching up fast, and has eclipsed the United States on various levels.

[E1] Billionaires

China is a close #2 in billionaires (about 400 billionaires). But that gap is closing fast.

When it is possible to go from “rags to riches” there is the ability to greatly improve one’s status in life.

China is a close #2 in billionaires (about 400 billionaires). But that gap is closing fast.
China is a close #2 in billionaires (about 400 billionaires). But that gap is closing fast.

[E2] Millionaires

China is #1 in millionaires.

Step aside, American millionaires. Your Asian counterparts are now wealthier than you are. Asian millionaires now control more wealth than their peers in North America, Europe and other regions, according to a new World Wealth Report from Capgemini, a consulting group.

Asian millionaires saw their wealth jump by 9.9% in 2015, while poor performance in the equity markets in the United States and Canada slowed growth in North America to a sluggish 2.3% last year.

Step aside, American millionaires.  Your Asian counterparts are now wealthier than you are.  Asian millionaires now control more wealth than their peers in North America, Europe and other regions, according to a new World Wealth Report from Capgemini, a consulting group.  Asian millionaires saw their wealth jump by 9.9% in 2015, while poor performance in the equity markets in the United States and Canada slowed growth in North America to a sluggish 2.3% last year.
Step aside, American millionaires. Your Asian counterparts are now wealthier than you are. Asian millionaires now control more wealth than their peers in North America, Europe and other regions, according to a new World Wealth Report from Capgemini, a consulting group. Asian millionaires saw their wealth jump by 9.9% in 2015, while poor performance in the equity markets in the United States and Canada slowed growth in North America to a sluggish 2.3% last year.

Of course, it is useful to be deceptive in this matter.

If you consider wealth to ONLY be measured in United States Dollars, and not in other currencies, gold, bitcoin, or in property, it would be Americans that would be the wealthiest. For they have the largest piles of money in the USD currency.

Of course, it is useful to be deceptive in this matter. If you consider wealth to ONLY be measured in United States Dollars, and not other currencies, gold, bitcoin, or in property, it would be Americans that would be the wealthiest. For they have the largest piles of money in the USD currency.
Of course, it is useful to be deceptive in this matter. If you consider wealth to ONLY be measured in United States Dollars, and not in other currencies, gold, bitcoin, or in property, it would be Americans that would be the wealthiest. For they have the largest piles of money in the USD currency.
It's sort of like saying that Americans eat the most delicious food in the world simply because America makes the most hamburgers. While not taking into account that there are other kinds of food.

When you try to judge the world on an American scale... USD, your results will be skewed in favor of the United States.

[E3] Stock Market

China is #2 stock market, by market cap (overtook Japan in 2014). Obviously the United States stock market is a major player in stock value and worth.

In 2003, even tiny Switzerland and sparsely populated Canada had larger stock markets than China. And India is coming on strong. It's now home to 2.6 percent of the world's total stock market value.
In 2003, even tiny Switzerland and sparsely populated Canada had larger stock markets than China. And India is coming on strong. It’s now home to 2.6 percent of the world’s total stock market value.

[E4] Fortune 500 Companies

China is #2 in representation in Global Fortune 500 companies. (And, it is actually #1 if Taiwan is included)

The Fortune Global 500, also known as Global 500, is an annual ranking of the top 500 corporations worldwide as measured by revenue. The list is compiled and published annually by Fortune magazine. Until 1989, it listed only non-US industrial corporations under the title "International 500" while the Fortune 500 contained and still contains exclusively US corporations. 

- Wikipedia 
China is  #2 in representation in Global Fortune 500 companies. (And, it is actually #1 if Taiwan is included)
China is #2 in representation in Global Fortune 500 companies. (And, it is actually #1 if Taiwan is included)

[E5] Agriculture

China is #1 in most agricultural products — production of rice, wheat, potato, beer(!), tea, apple, strawberry, grapes and numerous other grains, vegetables and fruits. (link)

China leads the world in the production of rice.
China leads the world in the production of rice.
China leads the world in the production of beer.
China leads the world in the production of beer.
China leads the world in the production of wheat.
China leads the world in the production of wheat.
China leads the world in the production of pork.
China leads the world in the production of pork.
China leads the world in the production of tea.
China leads the world in the production of tea. Sorry Arkansas. You are going to have to tear down all your signs.

Group [F] Poverty and Middle Class

A good indicator on the general health of a nation is the size of it’s middle class. Nations that are stratified with a rich class, and a poor class but have a very small middle class will produce raw data that on the surface looks great, but in reality does not reflect the nation as a whole.

China's middle class is growing and dwarfs that of the West. They are also affluent, tech-savvy and travel internationally.

[F1] The Middle Class Population

China is #1 in Middle Class population (350 million in 2018; and it overtook the US in 2015).

Chinese middle class is huge and growing. It's already far larger than what is found in the United States.
Chinese middle class is huge and growing. It’s already far larger than what is found in the United States.
China's middle class is large and growing.
China’s middle class is large and growing.
The global pyramid of wealth. It's all going to Asia. WHile the middle class in North America shrinks substantially.
The global pyramid of wealth. It’s all going to Asia. While the middle class in North America shrinks substantially.
China has an enormous and growing middle class.
China has an enormous and growing middle class.
The nineteenth century industrial revolution created a substantial Western European and American middle class. Today the same is happening in emerging markets. Over the next two decades, the global middle class is expected to expand by another three billion, from 1.8 billion to 4.9 billion, coming almost exclusively from the emerging world. In Asia alone, 575 million people can already count themselves among the middle class — more than the European Union’s total population,
The nineteenth century industrial revolution created a substantial Western European and American middle class. Today the same is happening in emerging markets. Over the next two decades, the global middle class is expected to expand by another three billion, from 1.8 billion to 4.9 billion, coming almost exclusively from the emerging world. In Asia alone, 575 million people can already count themselves among the middle class — more than the European Union’s total population,

[F2] Elimination of poverty

=> #1 in poverty elimination (800 million lifted out of extreme poverty)

0 Poverty Rate

[F3] On-line and electronic sales

China is #1 in online/e-commerce retail sales (In 2019 it was three times (3x) that of the US).

 In the retailing business, it’s fairly common knowledge that China is  home to the world’s most prolific online shoppers. Last year almost 419  million mainlanders made purchases via the Web, more than any other  country, and they spent more online than consumers elsewhere by a wide  margin ($672 billion, nearly twice U.S. online spending in 2015).

 If these facts suggest to you that e-commerce in China has matured  and growth is running out of steam as the country’s economy slows, think  again. China retail consumption in general continues to increase briskly and online shopping in particular continues to boom.  Analysts reckon this is due to a combination of potent demographic and  cultural trends that show no signs of abating: the growing spending  power of upper middle class and affluent households; the coming of age of a generation of college-educated consumers; rising aspirations among hundreds of millions of people in China’s less-developed cities and rural areas; a powerful shift away from shopping at brick-and-mortar stores to mobile e-commerce driven by widespread smartphone adoption.

 Will China still be on top at the close of the decade? A recent  forecast on worldwide e-commerce sales through 2019 by independent  research firm eMarketer says yes, emphatically so. 

-China will completely dominate e-commerce.
e-commerce transactions between China and other countries increased 32% to 2.3 trillion yuan ($375.8 billion) in 2012 and accounted for 9.6% of China's total international trade. In 2013, Alibaba had an e-commerce market share of 80% in China.
e-commerce transactions between China and other countries increased 32% to 2.3 trillion yuan ($375.8 billion) in 2012 and accounted for 9.6% of China’s total international trade. In 2013, Alibaba had an e-commerce market share of 80% in China.
China dominates retail e-commerce sales by a signifigant factor.
China dominates retail e-commerce sales by a significant factor.

[F4] Retail Market

China is #1 in the retail market of the world by 2019 ($5.6 trillion)

By 2018, the Chinese online fashion market is forecast to be larger than that of the USA and Europe combined. This according to the latest report from the Statista Digital Market Outlook. The analysis reveals, with turnover of 126 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, China is already by far the leader for online fashion but by 2018 this turnover is expected to reach 194 billion - eclipsing that of the USA and Europe. The biggest players in China are currently Tmall, JD and VIP.com.
By 2018, the Chinese online fashion market is forecast to be larger than that of the USA and Europe combined. This according to the latest report from the Statista Digital Market Outlook. The analysis reveals, with turnover of 126 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, China is already by far the leader for online fashion but by 2018 this turnover is expected to reach 194 billion – eclipsing that of the USA and Europe. The biggest players in China are currently Tmall, JD and VIP.com.

[F5] Luxury Market

China is #1 in personal luxury goods sales (holding 35% of global market)

China’s overall share of global luxury goods purchases declined slightly from 31% to 30%. Longer term, China remains an engine of growth for luxury goods as the country’s middle class continues to grow in size and purchasing power. The behavior of Chinese consumers epitomizes a larger global trend: the re-localization of luxury. In 2016, the growth of local luxury purchases exceeded that of tourist purchases by 5 percentage points, the first time that has happened since 2001.
China’s overall share of global luxury goods purchases declined slightly from 31% to 30%. Longer term, China remains an engine of growth for luxury goods as the country’s middle class continues to grow in size and purchasing power. The behavior of Chinese consumers epitomizes a larger global trend: the re-localization of luxury. In 2016, the growth of local luxury purchases exceeded that of tourist purchases by 5 percentage points, the first time that has happened since 2001.
The luxury market value on the Chinese mainland is expected to hit 113 billion yuan ($18.07 billion) by the end of the year. Watches are expected to be among the hardest hit categories with a 5 percent drop in market value.  However, Chinese purchases worldwide reached 306 billion yuan with spending abroad rocketing by 31 percent.  More than 60 percent of consumption took place in overseas markets, driven by the depreciation of major foreign currencies, and dynamic overseas travel.
The luxury market value on the Chinese mainland is expected to hit 113 billion yuan ($18.07 billion) by the end of the year. Watches are expected to be among the hardest hit categories with a 5 percent drop in market value. However, Chinese purchases worldwide reached 306 billion yuan with spending abroad rocketing by 31 percent. More than 60 percent of consumption took place in overseas markets, driven by the depreciation of major foreign currencies, and dynamic overseas travel.

[F6] Luxury Automotive Market

China is #1 in the luxury car market (Example: 400,000 BMW’s manufactured and sold in China in 2017). Any one visiting China can attest to this. Bentley’s and Lamborghini’s are all pretty common in China. But, very rare in the United States.

China represents a signifigant proportion of market share for luxury brand automobiles.
China represents a significant proportion of market share for luxury brand automobiles.
German automakers Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz maintained their lead as the top performers in China’s luxury car market in the first half of 2014 as Mercedes-Benz continues to try to play catch-up to its two main rivals.
German automakers Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz maintained their lead as the top performers in China’s luxury car market in the first half of 2014 as Mercedes-Benz continues to try to play catch-up to its two main rivals.

[F7] International Tourism

China is #1 in international tourism spending (In 2010, Chinese tourists spent half as much as Americans; and by 2017, China was spending twice as much as the US)

Revenue generated by outbound tourism from China continues to grow in 2018. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) found that spending from Chinese tourists abroad now makes up 21% of all tourism spending. In addition, each Chinese traveller spends on average more per trip than tourists from any other country.  The impact of Chinese tourists on the luxury industry is thus remarkable. Retailers, hotels, restaurants and travel brands all need to adapt their products and services if they want to appeal to this new market segment.
Revenue generated by outbound tourism from China continues to grow in 2018. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) found that spending from Chinese tourists abroad now makes up 21% of all tourism spending. In addition, each Chinese traveler spends on average more per trip than tourists from any other country. The impact of Chinese tourists on the luxury industry is thus remarkable. Retailers, hotels, restaurants and travel brands all need to adapt their products and services if they want to appeal to this new market segment.
China’s outbound tourism boom is expected to remain the largest force in the global travel market over the next decade, with Chinese spending reaching US$255.4 billion by 2025.  This was the prediction of a recent report by economic forecasting firm Oxford Economics and credit card company Visa called “Mapping the Future of Global Travel and Tourism,” which says that this number will be the result of an 86 percent increase in Chinese travel spending in the next 10 years. The 2025 prediction will be up from $137 billion spent in 2015, keeping China far at the top of the list as the number one source of cross-border travel spending in the world. The staggering amount is expected to be almost double that of the United States’ second-place $134.1 billion spent by tourists abroad and larger than that of Germany, the UK, and Russia combined.
China’s outbound tourism boom is expected to remain the largest force in the global travel market over the next decade, with Chinese spending reaching US$255.4 billion by 2025. This was the prediction of a recent report by economic forecasting firm Oxford Economics and credit card company Visa called “Mapping the Future of Global Travel and Tourism,” which says that this number will be the result of an 86 percent increase in Chinese travel spending in the next 10 years. The 2025 prediction will be up from $137 billion spent in 2015, keeping China far at the top of the list as the number one source of cross-border travel spending in the world. The staggering amount is expected to be almost double that of the United States’ second-place $134.1 billion spent by tourists abroad and larger than that of Germany, the UK, and Russia combined.

Group [G] Technology

The future of the world belongs to the nation that can harness, control and wield new and advanced technology. Increasingly it appears that China will wear this mantle.

China is investing in technology, spending money, time and effort towards AI, robotics, space exploration, and medical research. Meanwhile the United States is pushing for diversity improvements, Muslim outreach, and social programs.

[G1] Unicorns

China is #2 in Unicorns (startup companies worth more than $1 billion). 142 in China versus 175 in US)

China’s startup market had a good year in 2018, with close to 100  technology companies garnering a valuation of more than $1 billion.  Known as unicorns, the companies were led by eCommerce and video streaming services, the Financial Times  reported, citing data from Hurun’s ranking of China’s top tech  companies.
China’s startup market had a good year in 2018, with close to 100 technology companies garnering a valuation of more than $1 billion. Known as unicorns, the companies were led by eCommerce and video streaming services, the Financial Times reported, citing data from Hurun’s ranking of China’s top tech companies.
China’s startup market had a good year in 2018, with close to 100  technology companies garnering a valuation of more than $1 billion.

Known as unicorns, the companies were led by eCommerce and video streaming services, the Financial Times  reported, citing data from Hurun’s ranking of China’s top tech  companies. According to the report, Hurun, which also produces the  annual rich list for China, found there are 186 Chinese tech startups  that have valuations of more than $1 billion. In first place is Ant  Financial, the digital payments affiliate of Alibaba. Among the video  streaming startups, the Financial Times said ByteDance made the list. It  runs the Toutiao news video and short video streaming company Douyin. 

ByteDance, Tencent-backed short-video app Kuaishou, and Meicai, an  online platform for farmers selling vegetables, were ranked the  fastest-growing startups, with valuations that jumped 400 percent in  2018, reported the Financial Times. The report noted that internet  services, medical and health companies, and education were the fastest  growing sectors from a valuation perspective. 

-PYMNTS
Beijing topped the list of cities with the most "unicorn" companies, with 54 startups according to the Hurun Greater China Unicorn Index 2017 released Dec 21.  A unicorn, by definition, is a startup company valued at more than $1 billion. The list surveyed 120 unicorn companies with a total estimated value of more than 3 trillion yuan ($458 billion) in China.  Shanghai took second position with 28 unicorns, and Hangzhou followed Shanghai with 13 unicorns.  Notably, the 13 unicorn companies in Hangzhou have a higher total estimated value than the 28 unicorns in Shanghai combined.
Beijing topped the list of cities with the most “unicorn” companies, with 54 startups according to the Hurun Greater China Unicorn Index 2017 released Dec 21. A unicorn, by definition, is a startup company valued at more than $1 billion. The list surveyed 120 unicorn companies with a total estimated value of more than 3 trillion yuan ($458 billion) in China. Shanghai took second position with 28 unicorns, and Hangzhou followed Shanghai with 13 unicorns. Notably, the 13 unicorn companies in Hangzhou have a higher total estimated value than the 28 unicorns in Shanghai combined.

[G2] Venture Capital Funding

China is #2 in venture capital funding ($100 billion of new venture capital funding for about 2,900 startups last year )

While investors in the West have carefully trimmed their stakes in startups and announced the end of the golden age of unicorns, China’s government-backed venture capital funds have amassed the world’s biggest startup pool, reports Bloomberg.  And it’s enormous—reaching almost 10 times the amount spent by venture capital firms on Chinese startups in 2015: $32.2 billion.  In bid to ease the slowing Chinese economy into a consumer-based rather than heavy industry-focused one, the country reportedly raised about 1.5 trillion yuan, or $231 billion, in state-backed venture funds through 2015, according to Zero2IPO.  That tripled its assets under management to $338 billion. The money, which is almost five times the amount raised by any other venture firm in the world in 2015, comes mostly from tax revenues or state backed loans, and is funneled into some 780 funds across the country.
While investors in the West have carefully trimmed their stakes in startups and announced the end of the golden age of unicorns, China’s government-backed venture capital funds have amassed the world’s biggest startup pool, reports Bloomberg. And it’s enormous—reaching almost 10 times the amount spent by venture capital firms on Chinese startups in 2015: $32.2 billion. In bid to ease the slowing Chinese economy into a consumer-based rather than heavy industry-focused one, the country reportedly raised about 1.5 trillion yuan, or $231 billion, in state-backed venture funds through 2015, according to Zero2IPO. That tripled its assets under management to $338 billion. The money, which is almost five times the amount raised by any other venture firm in the world in 2015, comes mostly from tax revenues or state backed loans, and is funneled into some 780 funds across the country.

[G3] 4G mobile technology and networks

China is #1 in 4G mobile network (2 billion users)

China's 4G users touches 836 million.  China has the world's largest 4G network and is aiming to add 2 million 4G base stations, mainly for townships and villages, by 2018. Also by the end of the first quarter, China had 310 million users of fixed-line broadband network, and nearly 80 per cent of them used fiber broadband products.

-Economic Times

One of the main reasons China is ahead of the US is because of proactive government policies. The CTIA feels so strongly about this it even commissioned another research firm to further investigate the importance of winning at 5G.

“When countries lose global leadership in a generation of wireless,  jobs are shed and technology innovation gets exported overseas... Conversely,  leading the world in wireless brings significant economic benefits, as  the U.S. has seen with its 4G leadership. These are the serious stakes  that face American policymakers in the escalating global race to 5G.”

-Roger Entner, Founder of Recon Analytics. 

Well you can’t argue with that can you? Here’s the 5G readiness chart according to whatever criteria they used.

Research commissioned by US wireless trade association CTIA reckons China is a bit ahead of Korea, the US and Japan when it comes to 5G readiness.  The report, compiled by Analysis Mason, frames 5G as a global race – the implication being that whoever starts doing it in real life first will have a big advantage over everyone else. There’s much talk of wireless leadership and how important it is to win and lead and generally trample your competitors underfoot. All good, healthy corporate stuff.  “The United States will not get a second chance to win the global 5G race,” warned Meredith Attwell Baker, CTIA President and CEO. “I’m confident that America can win and reap the significant economic benefits of 5G wireless due to our world-leading commercial investments.
Research commissioned by US wireless trade association CTIA reckons China is a bit ahead of Korea, the US and Japan when it comes to 5G readiness. The report, compiled by Analysis Mason, frames 5G as a global race – the implication being that whoever starts doing it in real life first will have a big advantage over everyone else.

[G4] Number of internet users

China is #1 in Internet users (830 million people) and fiber-optic broadband users (320 million)

China has the highest number of internet users in the world, with over 746 million users. China has a population of over one billion, and a vast internet network that has been expanded in recent years. Chinese internet users have nearly doubled in numbers over the past decade. The strongest increase has been among mobile internet users, who access the internet on smartphones, which is very popular in China.
China has the highest number of internet users in the world, with over 746 million users. China has a population of over one billion, and a vast internet network that has been expanded in recent years. Chinese internet users have nearly doubled in numbers over the past decade. The strongest increase has been among mobile internet users, who access the internet on smartphones, which is very popular in China.
China owns the internet. Compared to the Chinese software companies, Google and Facebook, Twitter and all the rest are all small potatoes.
China owns the internet. Compared to the Chinese software companies, Google and Facebook, Twitter and all the rest are all small potatoes

[G5] Smartphone use

China is #1 in smartphones (Chinese brands have 40% of the global market)

China has the largest smartphone penetration in the world.
China has the largest smartphone penetration in the world.

[G6] Use of solar, wind and hydro power.

China is #1 in solar, wind and hydroelectric power (link)

China has invested heavily in alternative energy sources. This includes solar, wind and hydro technologies.
China has invested heavily in alternative energy sources. This includes solar, wind and hydro technologies.

[G7] Use of electric cars

China is #1 in electric cars – manufacturing and sales (link)

There's no comparison. China is by far, the world leader in electric vehciles.
There’s no comparison. China is by far, the world leader in electric vehicles.

[G8] Drones

China is #1 in consumer drones (70% of global market). This is pretty much obvious when you just scan through the names and logos of those people making the drones. Heck! They are mostly Chinese.

China is  #1 in consumer drones (70% of global market).
China is #1 in consumer drones (70% of global market).

[G9] Supercomputers

China is #1 in supercomputers (227 out of the 500 supercomputers are Chinese)

China has pulled way ahead of the US in the supercomputers.
China has pulled way ahead of the US in the supercomputers. The share of TOP500 installations in China continues to rise, with the country now claiming 227 systems (45 percent of the total). The number of supercomputers that call the US home continues to decline.

[G10] Mobile Payments

China is #1 in mobile payments (50x larger than the US)

 I was talking the other day to a colleague about the phenomenon in  Asia, India, Africa and South America taking place with mobile payments  and the lack of take-up in the USA. Why is this, I wondered? Then  got  my answer, although it isn’t a singular factor but a combination of  factors.

 First, there are many payment methods already deployed and available  for most American consumers including cash, check, credit or debit  card, PayPal and more. Second, it is not just the choice of payment  methods but also the breadth and depth of acceptance. For most US  stores, their preferred payment method is cash or card, and that’s  pretty much the same in Europe; whilst China’s stores all take QR codes.  Third, there has to be a reason for consumers to change their payments  behavior and the US has not created any yet; China’s red letter days  made the difference when Tencent and Alibaba went head-to-head, and  Singles Days and other events since have created the behavioral change.  Finally, there has to be scale and support for change, and the USA  doesn’t have it as there are too many financial providers with too many  different interests. If the USA had Facebook and Amazon offering simple  payments in apps, it might have taken off far faster than it has; but  the fact that Tencent (800 million users) and Alibaba (540 million)  pushed mobile payments hard into the Chinese consumers hands made the  transformation easy.

 This is why it surprises me that after all the hoo-hah razzamatazz  announcements of Apple Pay that it turned out to be such a damp fizz. In  fact, I claim it’s one of Apple’s failures. I don’t use it. I have no  incentive to use it. I don’t like it. I don’t find it functional. In  fact, I hate it.

 I realized how much I dislike it when the new iPhone keeps bringing up  Siri and Apple Pay rather than opening my apps when I press the home  button. Then, when I want Apple Pay to come up, I have no idea how to  get it. Then I realized it’s in my wallet, and then I realized the  wallet is now just a digital representation of my card. 

-Skinners Blog
China leads the world, by far...far... far in command of mobile payments.
China leads the world, by far…far… far in command of mobile payments.

Group [H] Infrastructure 

A measure of how healthy a nation is can be determined by it’s infrastructure. How many new parks are made? What is the condition of bridges? How is the ease and availability of public transportation? High speed rail, the prices and extent of the lines? Here we can see that China outshines the world in these areas.

Compared to the United States, China has invested such an enormous amount of money and resources into infrastructure that simply dwarfs any efforts by the United States. They are so minuscule that they hardly seem worth mentioning in comparison with China.

[H1] Skyscraper construction

China is #1 in skyscrapers – more than half of all skyscrapers are in China (link)

China is the world leader in skyscraper construction.
China is the world leader in skyscraper construction.

[H2] High Speed Rail

China is #1 in high-speed railways or bullet trains (30,000 Km or 18,000 miles)

China leads the world in high speed rail. The value listed for the United States is an estimate. As of 1OCT19, only 15 miles of HST track has been laid down in the United States.
China leads the world in high speed rail. The value listed for the United States is an estimate. As of 1OCT19, only 15 miles of HST track has been laid down in the United States.

[H3] Global Infrastructure Projects

China is #1 in global infrastructure projects. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) involves 152 countries and international organizations. (link)

 Globally, China has been steadily increasing its official finance  investments in other countries, but these flows are less concessional  than that of other large players like the US. Consistent with  speculation in popular media and policy circles, China is making big  bets in the infrastructure sector, as the lion’s share of its  investments globally between 2000 and 2014 were in energy (US$134.1  billion), transportation and storage (US$88.8 billion),  telecommunications projects (US$16.9 billion) and mining, construction  and industry (US$ 30.3 billion). 

Seven of the top 10  recipients of Chinese “aid” (ODA) were in Africa, but its other official  flows (OOF) are more geographically dispersed.  Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania, and  Ghana collectively received US$23.3 billion in official development  assistance from China between 2000 and 2014. Africa is less of a  priority for China when it comes to its more commercial or  diplomatically focused other official financing: Angola is the lone  African country in the top ten recipients of Chinese OOF, receiving  $13.4 billion. 

-  China’s financial statecraft: Winning Africa one Yuan at a time? 
These survey results tell us that the substantial investments made by China in the infrastructure sector are indeed paying off in increased influence with world leaders. In comparing survey responses from 2014 and 2017, China is rapidly gaining ground when it comes to agenda-setting influence with policymakers in low- and middle-income countries. More on this is still to come, with AidData’s forthcoming publication analyzing the full survey results slated for April 2018.  So, how might we explain China’s rising influence? Money may not buy love, but it does give donors a seat at the table with policymakers in low- and middle-income countries. China holds most sway with leaders from countries that are heavily dependent on its grants and loans.  Beyond money, public diplomacy tools can work together with development assistance to amplify influence with African leaders. For example, China has more influence in countries where leaders had greater interaction with the Chinese Communist Party and less influence in countries that had more leaders educated in the US and a higher number of Fulbright scholars.
These survey results tell us that the substantial investments made by China in the infrastructure sector are indeed paying off in increased influence with world leaders. In comparing survey responses from 2014 and 2017, China is rapidly gaining ground when it comes to agenda-setting influence with policymakers in low- and middle-income countries. More on this is still to come, with AidData’s forthcoming publication analyzing the full survey results slated for April 2018. So, how might we explain China’s rising influence? Money may not buy love, but it does give donors a seat at the table with policymakers in low- and middle-income countries. China holds most sway with leaders from countries that are heavily dependent on its grants and loans. Beyond money, public diplomacy tools can work together with development assistance to amplify influence with African leaders. For example, China has more influence in countries where leaders had greater interaction with the Chinese Communist Party and less influence in countries that had more leaders educated in the US and a higher number of Fulbright scholars.
 In addition to becoming the biggest produced of steel and aluminum,  among many other things, the PRC has launched a number of huge  infrastructure projects—topped by $25 billion Three Gorges Dam (a  project originally dreamed of since imperial days).

But China  still remains deeply conservative politically—it remains the only one of  the ten major global economies not to be a multi-party democracy.

Under  Mao, China sought to export revolution. Today it looks to deploy its  massive cash reserves, spreading “soft power” around the globe.  Throughout, the PRC insists that it’s pursuing a “peaceful rise” in  search of a “harmonious world”. 

-China in the 21st Century

Group [I] Science, Research & Development

Scientific development is how a nation can obtain a leadership role in the global economy. When ever a nation has technological leadership, it’s people prosper. This was true for Germany, Japan, and the Untied States. It is now true for China.

[I1] STEM field participation

China is #1 in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) college graduates (4x as many as the US)

With regard to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates, however, according to the OECD, in 2030, if the proportions of STEM graduates continue at 2012 levels, China and India will account for more than 60% of the OECD and G20 STEM graduates. Considering the BRIICS countries as a whole (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa), it is estimated that they will produce three-quarters of the global STEM graduates by 2030. This is a significant shift away from the traditional aerospace manufacturing hubs in North America and Europe.
With regard to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates, however, according to the OECD, in 2030, if the proportions of STEM graduates continue at 2012 levels, China and India will account for more than 60% of the OECD and G20 STEM graduates. Considering the BRIICS countries as a whole (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa), it is estimated that they will produce three-quarters of the global STEM graduates by 2030. This is a significant shift away from the traditional aerospace manufacturing hubs in North America and Europe.

[I2] Scientific Publications

China is #1 in scientific publications (link)

According to 2018 Science & Engineering Indicators,  a report published by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), China  has left the U.S. behind to become the largest producer of scientific  articles. In 2016, China published more than 426,000 studies, which  amounted to 18.6% of the publications indexed in Scopus (Elsevier’s  database). The U.S., with 409,000 studies, is now positioned after  China.

Over the last few years, the volume of publications in China has increased exponentially; China had been trailing the U.S.  with regard to the number of publications. In June 2017, the Chinese  National Center for Science and Technology Evaluation (NCSTE)  and Clarivate Analytics, announced that China ranks third in the world in publishing academic papers that are a result of international collaboration. 

-Editage Insights
China's Scientific dominance is a done deal - Business Insider.
China’s Scientific dominance is a done deal – Business Insider.
 “The US continues to be the global leader in science and technology,  but the world is changing,” says Maria Zuber, a geophysicist at the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. As other nations  increase their output, the United States’ relative share of global  science activity is declining, says Zuber, who chairs the National  Science Board, which oversees the NSF and produced the report. “We can’t  be asleep at the wheel.” 

The shifting landscape is already  evident in terms of the sheer volume of publications: China published  more than 426,000 studies in 2016, or 18.6% of the total documented in  Elsevier’s Scopus database. That compares with nearly 409,000 by the  United States. India surpassed Japan, and the rest of the developing  world continued its upward trend.

-Nature 

[I3] 5G Technology

China is #1 in 5G (China owns about 40% of 5G patents, and the world’s leading 5G vendor and patent holder is none other than Huawei)

The international authorities overseeing the creation of a unified standard for 5G mobile technologies are expected to release its initial phase next year and the final phase in 2019, paving the way for a broad roll-out of 5G services by mobile network operators from 2020.

China’s bid to gain a greater share of the intellectual property behind the universal 5G standard would not only increase its global influence, but improve its bargaining power with foreign patent holders and help lower costs for mainland telecoms equipment makers, chip companies and other enterprises in the supply chain.

China is on the cusp of recasting itself as a leading technology innovator from a mere follower in the telecommunications industry, as efforts to develop a global 5G mobile standard near the final stage.  “While China has the world’s largest mobile market by subscriber and network size, other countries have dominated mobile technology innovation,” said Jefferies equity analyst Edison Lee. “5G is the opportunity of the century for China.”  The international authorities overseeing the creation of a unified standard for 5G mobile technologies are expected to release its initial phase next year and the final phase in 2019, paving the way for a broad roll-out of 5G services by mobile network operators from 2020.  China’s bid to gain a greater share of the intellectual property behind the universal 5G standard would not only increase its global influence, but improve its bargaining power with foreign patent holders and help lower costs for mainland telecoms equipment makers, chip companies and other enterprises in the supply chain, according to Lee.
China is on the cusp of recasting itself as a leading technology innovator from a mere follower in the telecommunications industry, as efforts to develop a global 5G mobile standard near the final stage. “While China has the world’s largest mobile market by subscriber and network size, other countries have dominated mobile technology innovation,” said Jefferies equity analyst Edison Lee. “5G is the opportunity of the century for China.”

Meanwhile, this is what the United States government statement about all this…

[I4] Artificial Intelligence

China is #1 in Artificial Intelligence (AI) funding, startups and publications (link, link)

Xu runs SenseTime Group Ltd., which makes artificial intelligence software that recognizes objects and faces, and counts China’s biggest smartphone brands as customers. In July, SenseTime raised $410 million, a sum it said was the largest single round for an AI company to date. That feat may soon be topped, probably by another startup in China.  The nation is betting heavily on AI. Money is pouring in from China’s investors, big internet companies and its government, driven by a belief that the technology can remake entire sectors of the economy, as well as national security. A similar effort is underway in the U.S., but in this new global arms race, China has three advantages: A vast pool of engineers to write the software, a massive base of 751 million internet users to test it on, and most importantly staunch government support that includes handing over gobs of citizens’ data –- something that makes Western officials squirm.
Xu runs SenseTime Group Ltd., which makes artificial intelligence software that recognizes objects and faces, and counts China’s biggest smartphone brands as customers. In July, SenseTime raised $410 million, a sum it said was the largest single round for an AI company to date. That feat may soon be topped, probably by another startup in China. The nation is betting heavily on AI.

Money is pouring in from China’s investors, big internet companies and its government, driven by a belief that the technology can remake entire sectors of the economy, as well as national security.

A similar effort is underway in the U.S., but in this new global arms race, China has three advantages: A vast pool of engineers to write the software, a massive base of 751 million internet users to test it on, and most importantly staunch government support that includes handing over gobs of citizens’ data –- something that makes Western officials squirm.
Historically, the country has been a lightweight in those regards. It’s suffered through a “brain drain,” a flight of academics and specialists out of the country. “China currently has a talent shortage when it comes to top tier AI experts,” said Connie Chan, a partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. “While there have been more deep learning papers published in China than the U.S. since 2016, those papers have not been as influential as those from the U.S. and U.K.”  But China is gaining ground. The country is producing more top engineers, who craft AI algorithms for U.S. companies and, increasingly, Chinese ones. Chinese universities and private firms are actively wooing AI researchers from across the globe. Juo, the University of Rochester professor, said top researchers can get offers of $500,000 or more in annual compensation from U.S. tech companies, while Chinese companies will often double that.  Meanwhile, China’s homegrown talent is starting to shine. A popular benchmark in AI research is the ImageNet competition, an annual challenge to devise a visual recognition system with the lowest error rate. Like last year, this year’s top winners were dominated by researchers from China, including a team from the Ministry of Public Security’s Third Research Institute.
“…Historically, the country has been a lightweight in those regards. It’s suffered through a “brain drain,” a flight of academics and specialists out of the country. “China currently has a talent shortage when it comes to top tier AI experts,” said Connie Chan, a partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.

“While there have been more deep learning papers published in China than the U.S. since 2016, those papers have not been as influential as those from the U.S. and U.K.” But China is gaining ground.

The country is producing more top engineers, who craft AI algorithms for U.S. companies and, increasingly, Chinese ones. Chinese universities and private firms are actively wooing AI researchers from across the globe. Juo, the University of Rochester professor, said top researchers can get offers of $500,000 or more in annual compensation from U.S. tech companies, while Chinese companies will often double that.

Meanwhile, China’s homegrown talent is starting to shine. A popular benchmark in AI research is the ImageNet competition, an annual challenge to devise a visual recognition system with the lowest error rate. Like last year, this year’s top winners were dominated by researchers from China, including a team from the Ministry of Public Security’s Third Research Institute.”

[I5] International Patents

China is #2 in international patentsaccording to WIPO (#1 if patents filed in China are included)

China has shot far ahead of the US on deep-learning patents By Echo Huang March 2, 2018 China wants to become a country of innovation, and lead the world in artificial intelligence in 2030 .
China has shot far ahead of the US on deep-learning patents, 2018 China wants to become a country of innovation, and lead the world in artificial intelligence in 2030 .

[I6] R&D Spending

China is #2 in R&D spendingaccording to US National Science Board (#1 if measured by purchasing power)

China, still derided by many in the West as the “Great Imitator,” is set to become the world’s leading research and development (R&D) spender within about 10 years, according to a report by advisory firm KPMG, which notes that in 2013, China committed $220bn in R&D spending, second globally only to the United States, which is estimated to have spent $424bn. This year, research firm Battelle and R&D Magazine predict in their 2014 Global R&D Funding Forecast that China will spend $284bn, a year-on-year increase of more than 20%, far eclipsing the US’s same-period increase of just one percent.
China, still derided by many in the West as the “Great Imitator,” is set to become the world’s leading research and development (R&D) spender within about 10 years, according to a report by advisory firm KPMG, which notes that in 2013, China committed $220bn in R&D spending, second globally only to the United States, which is estimated to have spent $424bn. This year, research firm Battelle and R&D Magazine predict in their 2014 Global R&D Funding Forecast that China will spend $284bn, a year-on-year increase of more than 20%, far eclipsing the US’s same-period increase of just one percent.

[I7] Satellites in Orbit / Space

China is #2 in number of satellites in orbit/space (280 satellites as of 2018). In 2018, China became the first country to land on the far side of the moon.

The UCS Satellite Database, compiled by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit science advocacy group, shows that the United States, as of November 2018, had 830 registered units in orbit. That number almost exceeds the combined total of the rest of the top ten. China follows with 280, and Russia is third with 147.
The UCS Satellite Database, compiled by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit science advocacy group, shows that the United States, as of November 2018, had 830 registered units in orbit. That number almost exceeds the combined total of the rest of the top ten. China follows with 280, and Russia is third with 147.

Conclusion

Just skimming through this article, taking note of the size of China and the sheer number of leadership spots would be enough to make the most skeptical nitwit pause and think.

China is a serious, serious nation that deserves respect.

Those that want to bury their head in the sand and pretend that China is not anything to worry about… that the “Trump Tariffs sent China back 20 years”… and that efforts to “contain” China will work… need to rethink their strategies.

I argue one very simple point. It is a point and theme that I have made time and time again, and I will conclude with it here…

The American government requires an alert and well-informed citizenry to function properly.

Otherwise, the American government (and by extension, the proud American people) will just end up as a footnote in the history books. Heed my words.

Links about China

Here are some links about my observations on China. I think that you, the reader, might find them to be of interest. Please kindly enjoy.

The US involvement in the HK "Democracy Now" movement.
Chinese reaction to the Trump Tariff Wars.
Popular Music of China
The logistics of relocating a facotry from China back to the USA.
Hong Kong and the NED CIA operations.
Chinese weapons systems
Chinese motor sports
End of the Day Potato
Dog Shit
Dancing Grandmothers
Dance Craze
When the SJW movement took control of China
Family Meal
Freedom & Liberty in China
Why are Americans so angry?
Evolution of the USA and China.
Ben Ming Nian
Beware the Expat
Fake Wine
Fat China
Business KTV
How I got married in China.
Chinese apartment houses
Chinese Culture Snapshots
Rural China
Chinese New Year

China and America Comparisons

As an American, I cannot help but compare what my life was in the United States with what it is like living in China. Here we discuss that.

SJW
Playground Comparisons
The Last Straw
Leaving the USA
Diversity Initatives
Democracy
Travel outside
10 Misconceptions about China
Top Ten Misconceptions

The Chinese Business KTV Experience

This is the real deal. Forget about all that nonsense that you find in the British tabloids and an occasional write up in the American liberal press. This is the reality. Read or not.

KTV1
KTV2
KTV3
KTV4
KTV5
KTV6
KTV7
KTV8
KTV9
KTV10
KTV11
KTV12
KTV13
KTV14
KTV15
KTV16
KTV17
KTV18
KTV19
KTV20

Learning About China

Who doesn’t like to look at pretty girls? Ugly girls? Here we discuss what China is like by looking at videos of pretty girls doing things in China.

Pretty Girls 1
Pretty Girls 2
Pretty Girls 3
Pretty Girls 4
Pretty Girls 5

Contemporaneous Chinese Music

This is a series of posts that discuss contemporaneous popular music in China. It is a wide ranging and broad spectrum of travel, and at that, all that I am able to provide is the flimsiest of overviews. However, this series of posts should serve as a great starting place for investigation and enjoyment.

Part 1 - Popular Music of China
Part 3 -Popular music of China.
Part 3 - The contemporaneous music of China.
part 3B - The contemporaneous music of China.
Part 4 - The contemporaneous popular music of China.
Part 5 - The contemporaneous music of China.
Part 5B - The popular music of China.
Part 5C - The music of contemporary China.
Part D - The popular music of China.
Part 5E - A happy Joe.
Part 5F - The contemporaneous music of China.
Part 5F - The popular music of China.
Post 6 - The contemporaneous music of China.
Post 7 - The contemporaneous music of China.
Post 8 - The contemporaneous music of China.
Part 9 - The contemporaneous music of China.
Part 10 - Music of China.
Post 11 - The contemporaneous music of China.

Parks in China

The parks in China are very unique. They are enormous and tend to be very mountainous. Here we take a look at this most interesting of subjects.

Parks in China - 1
Pars in China - 2
Parks in China - 3
Visiting a park in China - 4
High Speed Rail in China
Visiting a park in China - 5
Beautiful China part 6
Parks in China - 7
Visiting a park in China - 8

Really Strange China

Here are some posts that discuss a number of things about China that might seem odd, or strange to Westerners. Some of the things are everyday events, while others are just representative of the differences in culture.

Really Strange China 1
Really Strange China 2
Rally Strange China 3
Really Strange China 4
Really Odd China 5
Really Strange China 6
Really Strange China 7
Really Strange China 8
Really Strange China 9
Really Strange China 10
Really Strange China 11
Really Strange China 12
Really strange China 13
Really strange China 14

What is China like?

The purpose of this post is to illustrate that the rest of the world, outside of America, has moved on with their lives. That while they might not be as great as America is, they are doing just fine thank you.

And while America has been squandering it’s money, decimating it’s resources, and just being cavalier with it’s military, the rest of the world has done the opposite. They have husbanded their day to day fortunes, and you can see this in their day-to-day lives.

What is China like - 1
What is China like - 2
What is China Like - 3
What is China like - 4
What is China like - 5
What is China like - 6
What is China like - 8
What is China like - 8
What is China like - 9

Summer in Asia

Let’s take a moment to explore Asia. That includes China, but also includes such places as Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and others…

Summer Snapshots 1
Summer Snapshots 2
Summer Snapshots 3
Summer Snapshots 4
Snapshots Summer 5
Summer Snapshots 6
Summer Snapshot 7
Summer Snapshots 8
Summer Snapshots 9
Summer Snapshots 10
Summer Snapshots 11
Summer Snapshot 12

Some Fun Videos

Here’s a collection of some fun videos taken all over Asia. While there are many videos taken in China, we also have some taken in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea and Japan as well. It’s all in fun.

Some fun videos of China - 1
Fun Videos of Asia - 2
Fun videos of Asia - 3
Fun videos of Asia - 4
Fun Videos of Asia - 5
Fun videos of Asia - 6
Fun videos of Asia - 7
Fun videos of Asia - 8
Fun videos of Asia - 9
Fun videos of Asia - 10
Fun videos of Asia - 11
Fun videos of Asia - 12
Fun videos of Asia - 13
Fun videos of Asia - 14
Fun Videos of Asia - 15
Fun videos of Asia -16
The best way to cook marshmallows.

Articles & Links

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