I was there before you were.
By about three decades. I supported the opening of China, and was one of the few early westerners to work there.
It was a tremendous experience, and I will always treasure that. But the people who have come since, have NOT sold anything. All they did was buy, and buy more, and buy ever more. Everything. From everyone.
Selling out our own country’s manufacturing capabilities, in large part.
Now we have a big problem. The two countries trade situation is TERRIBLY out of balance.
Both parties have sold out America.
It is time to be for American goods once again.
Not limitless amounts of made-in China (everything) which simply makes China ever better at mass producing other things.
Like weapons.
That is a big one.
Saw the difference in HK starting within a few years of turnover and it gets worse every year. 1st visit was in ‘88. 30 days in ‘89. multiple visits after that...think my last was 2013.
Mainland I first visited in 2005 and have made multiple trips...though it’s been 2...no 3 years since my last.
The interior has never really developed only the major coast cities and Beijing. The people are like people everywhere - some good; some bad. They won’t talk about govt even if they know you very well. They do love their families for the most part...like I said some are bad. The govt is all about power. Over the past 5+ years those with money have been trying to get their families out longer term ... no insurance of stability when it just takes one politician to sign your death warrant.
I think if we get into a trade war that there will be a massive downturn in their economy. They’ve already been spending on non-value projects just to keep aspects of the economy going. Without exports they’ll contract...though not sure it would be a full collapse...they’ll inflate like crazy to prevent that. Likely try to gen up a war in the region to preoccupy their population and try to dump US bonds...though they have less than before as I understand.