With the growth of China as an economic superpower, the world's economic and political scenario is changing. People's thoughts and beliefs about the world affairs are changing along with the actions by the world powerhouses. It has always uttered by the world leaders that this world has the same opportunity for every nation and the developed countries are always supporting the other developing and undeveloped countries with a motto of creating a better world.
It is a very clear view for anybody to see and to feel that how hard USA is trying to help the world to become a land of peace by fighting against the terrorism, providing financial support, innovating the better technology. But how many of these are for the whole world? How many of these are without an expectation in return? How many of these are without a fear of a future competitor?
With the recent news, words of western media and politicians, actions by the USA, it gives a scary feelings, that is one or few of the economic and military superpowers would do anything to eliminate a competitor in their world leadership. The sweet welcoming words by the developed countries for the developing world would transform into bitter actions to restrict them from crossing the boundary of developing.
With a steady economic growth over past three decades, China has already emerged as an economic superpower and world's second largest economy. China is currently occupying a good numbers of first or second positions in many trade and economy list and tables. If China keeps growing in all sectors with its current pace, it wouldn't take long for it to take over all other powerhouses. And that is the point where the cold conflict starts.
In a recent (Feb 4-8, 2010) poll by Washington Post-ABC News, 46% respondent replied that in the 21st Century U.S. role in world affairs will be smaller than in the 20th Century, and 53% respondent replied that in the 21st Century U.S. role in the world economy will be smaller than in the 20th Century. For both of the world affairs and economy, respectively 43% and 41% respondent replied that 21st Century will be Chinese century.
With all the stats in hand it is getting difficult for the U.S. to admit that the world is changing. With the long history of being the economic powerhouse and the key player of the world affairs, it is not easy for them to accept China's growth and development. The way U.S. has played its role in world affairs, the way it has tried to set the course of the world, the way it has made the 19th century as American's century, that is making it fearful.