Combined English and Mandarin Chinese Version. China is the rising world leader for the 21st century. By looking at post World War II American history - when America was the world's factory - and comparing it to China today, (taking into account some cultural differences and many technological differences) it is easy to see the path China is on in our world. It is rapidly moving from an export and investment economy to a consumer economy - 1.4 billion strong. China is creating wealth and a middle class that no nation can compete with. Ideological difference aside (China is practicing capitalism better than America today), America would be smart to make China a friend and ally.