I am a Chinese American, pro-China, and I just got back from Shanghai last weekend. Yes, there are growing middle class – I have never seen so many VW in my life. However, majority of China’s wealth is still in the control of its government (land tenure for example). Average joel make less than 10,000 US dollars even in Shanghai, and that’s consider good pay (there is a saying in Shanghai that an ideal husband should make 7000 rmb a month). The stock market is so over-priced especially after last week’s run on HK stock exchange. And don’t forget the constant gray-haze air pollution in Shanghai; plus the 2nd hand smokes in-door. I think we have our troubles and China has its. Who will come up on top? I think US still will because we are in a far better position from the beginning. Of course, we maybe at the beginning of the end of the American Empire.

These been said. I did enjoy my trip to China. The services and goods were cheap if you knew your way. The hotel room you could get at least 25% off. I brought most of my gifts there for a minimum of 50% off, and I still felt that I was getting ripped off. I like the massage places (I went to the top one), and I got an hour massage for less than 10 US dollars. The food is about half of US price at a good restaruant. However, there are also very expansive places, I ate at a Japanese buffet place that cost 288 rmb (~35 dollars), and I went to a night club that cost way too much (but an eye opening experience). China is growthing fast but I will suggest it take its time to solve its problems first before they blow up in its face.