Originally Posted by ADL Colin

"IF China's GDP were to grow indefinitely at 11 percent a year -- 9 percent real growth plus 2 percent inflation -- and the U.S. experienced 5.5 percent growth -- 3.5 percent real and 2 percent inflation -- it would take the Chinese 40 years to catch up in terms of nominal GDP. "

Quite obviously 10%+ annual growth rate for four decades is a hell of an achievement. Not sure how likely that is. The US used to have that high of growth. On the other hand, China only needs GDP per capita about 1/4 that of the US in order to match its total GDP output because of its massive population.