[indthkr]

"The questions are whether China can maintain the same exponential economic and military growth at the same pace for the next ten or twenty years...."

People need to get their mind around the idea that EVERY MEMBER (9 total) of the Chinese elite Politburo Standing Committee is an Engineer (including 6 EE's).
Technological superiority, infrastructure development, and the resulting Military power that it enables, undoubtedly form a core component of their vision for China's future.
China's drive for tech superiority comes streight from the Top.

While clear-cut cases of China surpassing the U.S.
may be 10 or more years down the road based on the current growth rates, IMO a "tipping point" may be much reached much sooner than we can actually measure it.

[Dat Mon]

You said..."People need to get their mind around the idea that EVERY MEMBER (9 total) of the Chinese elite Politburo Standing Committee is an Engineer (including 6 EE's).
Technological superiority, infrastructure development, and the resulting Military power that it enables, undoubtedly form a core component of their vision for China's future.
China's drive for tech superiority comes straight from the Top."

Good observations!!

China and other nations see the future and are planning long term for it.

We seem to be focused on short term goals in this culture and society...its the culture of 'instant gratification'.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Exactly.

That is why I believe it is now time, to stop exporting American manufacturing to China.

It is time to re-industrialize the USA.