The speed of development in China is staggering. They are outspending the West at least 100 to one in infrastructure investment, probably much more. The changes I have seen in the seven years since my last visit are very dramatic. In the somewhat provincial city of X'ian, the areas I visited in 2009 are unrecognizable.

Of course, the cost of this rapid development is a severe lack of political freedom, and environmental degradation on a large scale. But, compared to their situation 40 years ago, most Chinese are far better off, and happy with the trade offs. While few Chinese are purely communist in ideology, they are very nationalistic, proud, and hardworking. The Communist Party seems to be more of a ruling elite, rather than a political party as we understand the term. The media is entirely pro government, and censorship is very strict. (All things Google are totally blocked in China).

Like it or not, we in the West will be profoundly affected by this rapidly evolving, industrial superpower. If they continue to succeed, it will be difficult for the West to remain competitive. If the Chinese economy implodes, similar to Japan's, as some expect, they could drag the world's economy down with them.