Summary China is routinely presented in media as the world’s next economic leader. It has delivered impressive GDP growth. However, it is not as developed as its image in media suggests. Also, it does not innovate. Its growth may not continue as expected due to the rise of automated manufacturing. China is routinely presented in media as the world’s next economic leader. To consider the idea in-person, I spent time in Shanghai in December, and in Guangzhou last month and again last week. I took trains, stayed in hotels, ate in restaurants, walked the cities, rode a rented bicycle, bought a suit, shot photos, and wrote notes. China’s historical GDP growth has been impressive, and when projected along its current path puts the country on track to become the largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP by 2033, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit . The […]