A
asj2006
Guest
Reading old SF novels and stories is enlightening. When the British Empire was ascendant, many of the stories projected that the British would be the pre-eminent space nation, just as today many stories postulate that the USA will be the future space power. But I believe the reality is different, and that there are several factors that will make China the largest space exploring nation in the near future.<br /><br />- China has the money to spend on space exploration and conquest. Its economy is chugging along as the fastest growing large country in the world, its foreign reserves just topped $1 trillion, and it is (along with Japan) keeping the USA afloat by buying US government bonds. It is already the largest consumer nation in many consumer and industrial goods, and is probably the largest producer of most industrial and consumer goods as well. Its economy will be larger than everyone else in the next few years or decades.<br /><br />- China is leap-frogging the necessary technology barriers by cooperating with Russia.<br /><br />http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110900388.html<br /><br />- Because of the large economic opportunities in China, Chinese scientists (and academics) are going back to invest in China in very large numbers after studying here in the USA. In a few decades, some of the top research labs in the world will probably be in East Asia.<br /><br />- In the early 1400s, China possessed the most advanced and largest navy fleet in the world (commanded by Zheng He), but it decided to turn inward instead and scrapped their fleet. Because of this, Europe dominated the seas for the next couple centuries. China learned its lesson and has shown a strong urge to explore space.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>------------------------------------------- </p><p>"Breathe. This is like most of the choices you have in life. <br />You know inside whether it's right. <br />Whether you do it is up to you." </p><p>From the Tao of Willie Nelson</p> </div>