Look at China 
China will soon surpass Japan as the world's second largest economy. But, size, although important, is not everything. China needs 1.3 billion people to produce these goods and services, and conversely it has to house and feed the same number. The Per Capita GDP of China in 2009 was $3,401 ranking it at 89th in the world.
Another interesting fact about China's Economic Miracle is the efficiency factor of this machine. In tems of "efficiency" China lags the other industrial countries by a significant margin. China uses a whopping .82 tons of oil to produce an $1,000 dollar increas in GDP compared to a world average of .30 tons and the US usage of just .20 tons.
China stills relies heavily on natural resources from abroad as well as technology from abroad. There will have to be a reversal of this trend for China to continue its economic growth. "Made in China" is synonomous with a lower price, but not necessarily the most efficient economic methodology.
China is very aware of this, and it is currently reversing previouis trends of natural resource exhaustion and environmental degradation. In fact, China has now become a Leader in the field of Green Technology.
This Green Technology Revolution China produces two results... It lessens the inefficient use of scarce and depletable resources, it offers China an Global Economic Sector in which he can be the Leader. Others will soon look to China for their "Green Needs."
China is on the Move,but still has a way to go before it is a Global Economic Powerhouse for its people.
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