China won’t rule the world, but they are big enough right now at this point in time to cause problems.
(grin) One doesn't have to be big in order to cause trouble. Ever try to drive with a bee in the car, or sleep with a mosquito in the room?
But seriously, I've always been sorta puzzled about this hand-wringing over China. Why, b/c China has a lot of people? Well, so does India. B/c China is big country? Well, so is India. B/c of China's stated rapid economic growth? A growth triumphed by China itself, based on MYOB numbers which the Chicom will not permit any outsiders (international, or non-cadre Chinese)to look at.
I'm not saying we shouldn't keep our powder dry, but let's not get too Henny-Penny ("...the sky is falling...the sky is falling...") about this.