Mark Steyn notes that a researcher in the West thinks that China's population dropped last year, quoting a Japan Times article:
China's population shrank last year for the first time in 70 years, experts said, warning of a "demographic crisis" that puts pressure on the country's slowing economy...
The number of live births nationwide in 2018 fell by 2.5 million year-on-year, contrary to a predicted increase of 790,000 births, according to analysis by U.S.-based academic Yi Fuxian.
I didn't think China could mandate more children. And isn't it odd that China's so-called ability to plan a century ahead didn't see that one coming?
While I haven't been as sure as Steyn that China can't pass us by, I've been pretty sure that even if China surpasses our economy, they can't hold it.
Of course, perhaps China wants genetically compliant people and robots for subjects as an alternative to slaughtering protesters every generation or two.
As Steyn wonders, could China strike before it declines relative to America?
A China that sees its future dominance fade could try to use their power while they can to lock in their power and influence in a global order they design before they reach peak power.
