In 2006, the New York Times reported that China graduates 600,000 a year compared with 70,000 in the United States. The Times report was quoted on the House floor. Just one problem: China's statisticians count car mechanics and refrigerator repairmen as "engineers."
Thank goodness they don't count "sanitation engineers" in their stats!
I wouldn't bet the farm on China taking the number one slot this century--if ever.
Not that China won't be a regional power that will challenge our interests in east and southeast Asia. After all, Japan and Germany in 1941 were regional powers. So I don't underestimate the challenge of a rising China that decides to be hostile towards us rather than a friend.
But get a grip, people. I'm amazed that some people think that China has already passed us by.
