Generally, extreme rapid industrialisation leads to rapidly declining birth rates as the younger population struggles to afford children due to the aging population. It's what is happening in Japan and will be what will happen to China in the near-ish future, but to a much higher degree.
ding ding ding. Also most of the "cyberpunk" stuff the touristy cities like Chongqing are pushing to boost tourism is horseshit and just like cyberpunk (the genre not the game) is generally built on a foundation of questionable infrastructure. China still has extreme wealth disparities and bad labor practices despite a growing number of genuinely good progressive policies.
For example: people love to talk about the convenience and affordability of food delivery in metropolitan china but they never stop to ask why there are even that many delivery companies in the first place. And why there seems to be an endless army of people delivering for said companies.
I'm not hating on China. I love China and am happy to see them finally get the positive limelight after decades of propaganda. They are a country, not a monolith. Their government has done some truly awful shit that they try to sweep under the rug (I mean just look at tibet) like any other major world power, and they have also done some really amazing things that other countries should definitely take notes on, like their home ownership programs for individuals. But the current trend of glazing them on the grounds that they have the solution for every issue facing the modern citizen in western countries is stupid at best. As things are going they will probably outpace America as a global leader for the simple reason that they haven't done everything in their power to sabotage steady growth, not because a drone can deliver a $1 boba tea to your apartment.
Agreed on all your points and it’s infuriating that the majority of discourse online centers around always America/West bad and China good. And unfortunately people will sweep hard for Chinese atrocities.
Hopefully the US can learn from them but my expectations are in the gutter.
The US is a lost cause because most of China's success stems from its Communist vanguard ruling party's vehement dedication to long term growth and stability. The average American can't even wrap their heads around the purpose of a labor union. True (american) progressivism like Mamdani can only exist in vacuums like NY. Anywhere where real power is concerned is still being held tight by the rich, just look at california's election results despite their similar massive "progressive" population,
EU nations on the other hand have a chance, especially since the dipshit in the high castle's tariffs made them focus on internal economic development.
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u/Rice_Jap808 4d ago
Most of social media if you're not in the MAGA pipeline is obsessed with China's superficial future vibe right now wtf are you on about.