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To: Magnum44
China has yet to put a man in space, and they want to build a space station and colonize the moon

That is correct.

The new generation is very excited about this, is working hard, and is highly competent. But filling in the infrastructure, such as materials science, takes time. The space program is the tip of the spear. When the space program gets moving, you will know the rest of the industry has advanced as well. Change is coming soon, is already begun.

8 posted on 03/14/2002 9:23:16 AM PST by RightWhale
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To: RightWhale
Long before the chinese get a space station, they will be beset by overwhelming socio/economic difficulties at home that will be far greater challenge to the chinese government and to chinese people. The chinese population growth, as a result of its own policy, is leveling off (may have already), and potentially will go into decline. The average population age is rising. They will face a 'social security' crisis of famine proportions at some point. Their huge military is 75% dedicated to internal control. They have a shortage of natural resources, including water, to support economic growth, and the have a regional rival for those resources that poses a major threat (India) to their goals of regional dominance.

For China to become a technological power, they need to come into the 21st century at many other levels as well. You've seen the space photo taken in the last year that shows the earth at night. You'll notice that there are no lights to speak of inland of hundred miles of the chinese coast. Contrast this to India, or the US or Europe or Japan. This picture says a world about the econmic might and stability of various countries. Economic power and internal stability are related. That photo shows not only the economic power houses of the world today, it shows where the worlds fault lines are and where regions of economic depression exist. China has to deal with that. We should also be aware that Chinese political stability is threatened by its economic weakness.

Chinese dreams of space domination are just dreams for the foreseeable future (at least the next century).

BTW, if you get to see the photo I refer to, contrast N. Korea and S. Korea. Another flash point that we have to be very careful in handling.

BTW again, contrast the Muslim and Christian worlds in the same photo.

Maybe someone can post it here.

15 posted on 03/14/2002 10:05:02 AM PST by Magnum44
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