Can China develop sustainably?

Question

Question Details: China is developing faster than any other nation in the world. Consdering socal economical and environmental issues, can china develop sustainably?

Answer 1

they have done it for the last four thousand years +

Answer 2

They can; we all can.

China has the expertise and technology (eg electric cars, carbon zero cities like Dongtan), and we will see much of it showcased at the Olympics.

China is also being badly affected by environmental degredation & climate change, eg dust storms in Bejing

They also have a centralised political system that can take unpopular decisions like population control.

However, they have bought into the capitalist measures of growth & aspiration. Western companies have invested heavily so will want their money back etc.So don't expect then to buck the global trade system just yet.

Answer 3

I don't think so, they are eventually going to hit a hard ceiling.  

One, they're consuming increasingly more and more.  Because of the size of their population, this consumption will quickly increase to unobtainable levels as their economy continues to grow.  Eventually they will start experiencing shortages that will at the very least slow or halt their economic growth.

Two, there remains a huge class divide that will only become more evident as time goes on.  There exists a small group of  skilled and educated workers making a good amount of income trying to live the American lifestyle, while the majority of the population is uneducated, poor, and starving.  This will cause two things; first class jealousy possibly causing violence and uprising, and second it can cause a shortage of skilled workers significantly driving up prices.  

Basically they must be careful not to outgrown what they can support.  Any kind of major shortage can cause prices and inflation to increase to the point where their economy will crumble.   This of course applies to any country, including the US.

Answer 4

No - too many people wanting the "benefits" of a "Western Lifestyle" particulalry cars.

I don't know waht is going to happen but while the car is God in the West who can tell them what to do?