IMHO China grows too fast. They sooner or later will run into trouble. Also the majority of residents is still poor. Truely an Economic power. Have a look at electronic stuff when you buy some: Made in PRC, almost everything, very cheap......they have overtaken the US by far (regarding electronic stuff), quality though is sometimes missing. China doesn't care about copyright and other kind of rights (human rights). Also censorship is common. China is double-edged....we all are taking benefit of cheap electronic stuff, but a high prize therefore has to be paid by others.
India. Economically it doesn't play a dominant role. I guess in agriculture, clothing, chemicals and supply of services though. The company where I'm working has also a pharmaceutical company in India (NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh). I have never been there though. To me India has got a lot to offer about culture and religion. To me very valuable, also wise men (mahatma) come from India. Also I like to know more about Hinduism.
I'm sure China can and they will try regardless of the consequences. China is an interesting growing market, no question. The company where I'm working has a growth rate of 20% export each year to China. So when China grows I will grow as well. Anyway much more important than to be number one is freedom and prosperity for EVERY resident. You may ask Fu Xiancai about. (Three Gorges Dam)
What it says in the UN and other such places is like day and night to what its (or any totalitarian) government does in its own country. So that statement like most such public statements are worth sh..t. Anyway, the thread is about China being no 1, which it is close economically and is already No 1 population wise. Also, in hypocrisy.
Lol, open your eyes, do you agree with that? China grows economically, but human rights are treated with contempt. This is growth at any price. Even if China should become number one economically, what's that all worth then? Economical growth at one side, at the other side forced resettlement and robbery of body organs. As long as China doesn't respect human rights, China will never be number one. Economical growth is not sufficient, IMHO.
Your point of view is a good one. For that I wish China all the best. I cannot deny that many people are already taking benefit of the development of China. Every country (government) may have made mistakes. Important is to learn about. Btw: I'm no American, I live in Europe, anyway Obama is a very valuable President. IMHO.