China's Quest for the Western Civilization

China has been undergoing a massive expansion as of late. For a country that boasts a cool billion plus in residents spread out amongst 2 provinces, China is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing nations in the world. If what some experts have said "the 20th century is the century of the United States" is true, than one can rest assured, the 21st is certain to become the century of the Chinese.

Although a communist country and one heavy on old school tradition for centuries, the Chinese are rapidly changing their course. They are on a quest for the like's of western civilization. Communist in government, yet modern in technology and infastructure.

The Chinese entered into the 21st century boasting the 6th largest economy in the world. With the recent economic explosion, China could well become the 4th largest economy within a few short years. In fact, their growth has become so explosive, they risk earning a large dose of resentment from other countries as the world's resources are being gobbled up within their expansion. Steel, concrete and every other building material one can think of are being used up rapidly. Presently, China consumes half of the world's cement, one third of the oil and one quarter of the steel. This has enabled higher prices for building materials here in the United States and abroad, as well as, has caused some delays in construction do to supply shortages. Among the prominent mega construction projects, the Three Gorges Dam, thought of as the single most expensive project in Chinese history. At a cost of at least 25 billion (in US dollars) and as much as 100 billion (depending on whom you believe), the 600 foot high dam stretches more than 1.3 miles across the Yangtze River. And, the 14 billion dollar high speed rail system linking Shanghai to Beijing. At the same, the suburban landscape is undergoing a real estate boom, with luxury villas and housing going up adjacent to the largest cities. The residents are now able to enjoy brand new, more upscale restaurants for their dining pleasure. Large malls have been built as well, catering to the more modern chinese citizens with a taste for western world desires. All this ambitious growth and modernization has resulted in a now, 1.4 trillion dollar economy and a 9% + quarterly rate of economic growth.

Also, there is no doubt about China's success as a global exporter. China's trade imbalance with the United States alone, was 200 billion dollars in their favor by the end of 2005. By the end of 2006 it's estimated to balloon to 230 billion. In October 2006 alone, it was 24.4 Billion. With shipping networks that have gone global, the volume of foreign trade has grown rapidly. In todays world, countries are more and more involved in each others economies.

As with rapid growth to any world economy, some experts are worried the Chinese economy may be growing to fast. China's communist party rule is making attempts to reign in the growth, but now more than ever will depend on future economic growth to ensure it's ability to accomodate the employment of the millions of workers who have been laid off from many of the bankrupted state owned factories, plus an additional 300 million people who work in the farming industry. Many of the workers whose families worked in the fields for generations are now migrating to the cities, as some of the land once used for raising their crops is disappearing to development. Just with the new dam project itself, over 1 million people were displaced alone.

There is no doubt China is moving up rapidly in the world economies pecking order. Although, some growing pains will lie ahead, the 21st century is bound to be explosive for the Chinese people. No doubt, they'll end up having a bit more resemblance to Western Civilization in the process too!