Has China finally figured out how to beat the USA?
China is a very smart country. They understand they can not possibly go up against the west militarily, but they sure as hell can bury us economically. Militarily, outcomes are very hard to predict. There is way too much chaos. Economy is far easier to predict and manage. China, after 5,000 years of learning from the past and that war is really a last resort, that diplomacy and economics are the only way to go. China has also stated they will not launch a first strike against any sovereign nation. The USA has not said any such thing. Proof is in our wars now. As far as Mandarin. I'm an ex pat from the USA living and teaching English in China. I assure you beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will not need to learn Mandarin. It is one of the most difficult language to learn where the tones must be 95% correct to be understood. Westerners can spend years learning it and still suck at it. English is far easier to learn and is also the universal language used in international business and government. The Chinese government knows this and that is why 300 million people in China are learning English. Peace Jim .