After spending 12 days on our trip to China, I was amazed at what we saw and experienced.
The U.S. and China are similar in size but that’s where the similarities stop.
U.S. population estimate: 313 MILLION people. China population estimate: 1.34 BILLION people.
Look at this “Superpower Showdown… U.S. versus CHINA” article: http://www.master-of-finance.org/us-vs-china/
According to a Bloomberg.org report,
“China wants to overtake the U.S. to become the world’s biggest economy. That could happen in about 10 years if China can pull off the tricky transition from a government-run, centralized growth model to a more market-driven one where services and consumption play a greater part. China’s GDP will overtake the U.S. GDP level in 2026 at these 2030 target growth rates (U.S. = 2.0% / China = 6.5%).”
For more insight, look at this blog post: https://uclaluskinabroad.wordpress.com/2015/08/14/the-rise-of-the-high-rise-in-china/
Another article… amazing:
A phenomenon seen in the luxury fashion sector where Chinese consumers have started to look for niche brands and try to be more individual… not wanting to align themselves with mainstream consumers, there appears to be a similar trend in the auto market as consumers move from the more traditional luxury brands like Audi, to more individual names and products such like those of Porsche.
Young, rich and Chinese: it’s life in the fast lane for the emerging class of “Fuerdai”. The country’s new wealthy class are famous throughout the world for flashy spending and fast cars.
Definition from Wikipedia: Fuerdai: “rich second generation” is a Chinese term that refers to the children of the nouveau riche in China. This term is often invoked in the Chinese media and everyday discussions in China, as it incorporates some of the social and moral problems that are associated with modern Chinese society. Fuerdai are sons and daughters of wealthy Chinese from the early years of China’s reform era (from the late 1970s onward).
During the new era, in which private initiative could be rewarded by wealth, many new rich Chinese emerged in the former-socialist Chinese society. While such wealthy individuals may have reached their new socioeconomic position either through their own initiative and efforts, or by becoming powerful members of the ruling party, their children often enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and have a much easier and obstacle-free life path.
In EVERY city, we saw MANY young Chinese packed into upscale malls and stores. They weren’t just window shopping… they were BUYING expensive products. EVERYONE has a smart phone! Consumerism (especially among the 20 – 40 year old age group) is on the rise. These Chinese men and women are working professionals and VERY concerned about their “image”. How they dress, what they buy, the car they drive, the location of the high rise apartment they rent (or own), their job and career… EVERYTHING is focused on projecting “success” and “prosperity” to other Chinese (and the world)!
During our time in China, we noticed almost all of the people were Chinese except for tourists. We saw very few foreigners (Blacks, Hispanics, Indians, Koreans, Japanese, Middle East, Europeans, Africans, etc.). With the passage of stricter laws in 2012, The People’s Republic of China doesn’t support open and unrestricted immigration.
China has a VERY homogeneous population. In October 2015, the Chinese government ended the “one child only policy”. Since January 2016, it has been legal for a family to have “two children”. The population growth in China is booming!
Watch out America… with the drive, determination and national pride of the Chinese people, it’s highly possible that CHINA will surpass the UNITED STATES as the global economic leader within 1 or 2 decades.
We had an “eye opening” travel adventure to China. What a unique country. Even with all of the issues America is facing, I’m still proud to be a U.S. citizen and to live in a free country! God bless America! Dennis
Freebirds Frolic 
Very interesting….my political/economical prognosticator friend! ;-@ Maybe we can talk more on this next week…!
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Cindy, I would love to further discuss my impressions of China when we see you next week.
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What a fascinating and eye-opening view into the Chinese economy! Gives new meaning to “keeping up with the Jones”! Wow.
Thank you both for sharing your trip!
Love, Debra
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Debra, thank you for your reply and comments. I enjoyed sharing my perspective of China. Cindy found another interesting article:
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