Is China a Superpower?

Nearly 90% say no

The Chinese tabloid Global Times printed an article stating the world situation is changing to there being two superpowers plus multiple strong powers. The author of the story was Yan Xuetong, the Head of Contemporary International Relations Research Institute at Tsinghua University. The article said China has shortened the gap between the U.S. and itself, and in fact has transformed itself into another superpower. 

However in a Global Times survey, nearly 90% of netizens disagreed. Economic experts predict China's role in the international community will be reduced by its domestic conflicts. Did China become a superpower? The Chinese people have made their conclusions. The Global Times' online survey ran from December 30 to January 1. 88% voted “No” adding comments that there is quite a way to go before China becomes a superpower such as improving the standard of living, the quality of life for its people, and industrial capability.

Mr. Chen from Guangzhou noted, "Looking at this country, there are four parts that support it: industry, agriculture, military and young people/students, but none of them have any stability. With increases in inflation and political corruption, they get little protection from the Government. Currently most Chinese industry is for manufacturing for foreign countries. Enterprises have neither core technology nor have national brands. In rural areas, farmers don't earn enough income and have to go to the city as migrant workers. Meanwhile their lands are confiscated by local governments. 95% of veterans are unemployed, and they have to act to protect their benefits. Students can't find a job after graduating from college. Graduation is another word for unemployment.”

Zhou Zhong, a Beijing resident, thinks the term “superpower” can have different definitions. “The meaning is varied. If we say it depends on the economy or political control, China is absolutely a superpower, but if we include human rights, the standard of living, or GDP per capita, then China can't compare with the United States. China ranks 100th in each of these areas internationally.” In a blog posted by a Chinese netizen, China's income per capita is ranked 109th in the world, which is behind Syria. China's environmental index is 133, and the communist regime's corruption index is ranked 71. A US.. citizen can enter 159 counties without a Visa, but a Chinese citizen can only enter 38 countries.

Cheng Xiaonong, a China socio-economic expert commented, “Fundamentally China can't compare with the United States. China cannot rise much longer. It can only stay where it is and try its best to focus on its internal social problems, so it can't be a superpower in the international community.” Cheng Xiaonong pointed out that the Communist regime stopped using the word “rise” in its self-promotional materials.

China's economy had a major turning point in 2011. It changed from surface prosperity to more dire problems such as a stock market drop, evidence of a burst in its housing market, rampant inflation in the costs of food, and the forceful acquisition of farmers' lands by local governments. All of which have caused social unrest such as the recent protests in Wukan. The Chinese people's dissatisfaction with the government has reached unprecedented levels.

Cheng Xiaonong thinks there is only on superpower. He said that as a strong power, the U.S. can still play a big role in the world, but China's role is shrinking.

Source from NTDTV.com