[kabar]

The US has almost ten times the GDP of China. A growth rate of 9.6% is still lower in absolute terms to a US growth rate of 4.4% and as economies become larger and more developed, it is impossible to maintain growth rates such as 9.6%. China is still a developing economy. Its GDP per capita is $900 compared to the US $35,200. Over one-third of its exports are to the US (20.4%) and Japan (16.9%). China also has the second highest foreign debt (debt owed to non-residents and payable in foreign currency) in the world behind Brazil and ahead of Mexico.

China is far from replacing the US as the world's lone superpower either economically or militarily.

[Willie Green]

China also has the second highest foreign debt (debt owed to non-residents and payable in foreign currency) in the world behind Brazil and ahead of Mexico.

The United States is by far the world's largest debtor nation,
with half our debt obligations being owed to foreign creditors.
As a U.S. taxpayer, this means that an increasing portion of your taxes will go to supporting foreign governments (as interest payments) BEFORE even one penny is spent to support our own.

[A. Pole]

The US has almost ten times the GDP of China.

In speculative market prices yes. So was the Tokyo years ago more valuable that US East Coast.

In real physical terms measured by PPP, China economy is about half of America and growing fast. Also having larger population accustomed to lower standard of living might make you stronger (as it did with Soviet Russia versus Germany).

[nosofar]

"Its GDP per capita is $900 compared to the US $35,200."

China
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html

Population: 1,298,847,624 (July 2004 est.)
GDP: $6.449 trillion (2003 est.)
GDP per capita: $4965


United States
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html

Population: 293,027,571 (July 2004 est.)
GDP: $10.99 trillion (2003 est.)
GDP per capita: $37505

[Cronos]

China is still a developing economy.

Quite correct. This article is sucha bunch of hooey -- like the stock market 'players' who shoot down Intel because it has forecast growth of only 60% this year.