Has China missed the Opportunity?

In the blink of an eye, the future became the past.

For decades, we have been forecasting China becoming the leading state a super power, super economy and as a result the leader of the world surpassing the USA. Then the new millennium brought about unanticipated events that strained the American and Global economies, bringing them to their knees, at a time when the world's eyes were focused on the amazing economic and polished Olympic performance and BANG, China is the powerhouse of the world. Becoming one of America's biggest creditors with stunning economic performance driven by low-cost manufacturing, exports and growing domestic consumption, accelerating China to a position of dominance.

This on a back-drop of questionable human rights, a state controlled media (a government mouth-piece) and growing evidence of cleansing and atrocities; while at the same time the developed world is sobering-up to the destruction of greed and ego. The emergence of a new type of Leadership based around true concern for the environment, the less fortunate and the anti-nuclear weapon proliferation; symbolized by the remarkable actions of the Obama administration that contrast the failures of the previous administration in these same areas.

Then, almost as a test provided to China by the universe, we see an ex-Chinese, Australian Citizen, Stern Hu, arrested for suspected inappropriate actions (it is not for us to discuss the merits here), not yet officially accused of any crime. The world will take note and China potentially risks alienating investors, organisations and expatriate employees right at the crucial time when the Lion was ready to roar. This very publicised arrest could become the catalyst for China's new direction and could easily (with the ongoing Tibetan struggle and other less publicised challenges) turn into China's symbolic Achilles heel.

It could be speculated that the timing of such events come at a crucial moment in history when we observe the rise and rise of India. India's highly educated population that is experiencing significant growth, with a strongly growing economy and established and stable infrastructures, is a formidable challenge for China.

Has China missed the boat, or is it facing the revolution it had to have?

And where is the US in all this? What role does it play in a global economy that is experiencing seismic shifts?

Aldo Grech - CxO Consulting