In the 90s it was seen as a backwater with growing power. There was a sense that China’s economic growth would push it towards democracy. Tiananmen Square seemed like proof of that.
I remember a 90s Newsweek issue centered around China becoming the tiger in the next century. Believed that since then, and history seems to be bearing that opinion out. I just didn’t see America crashing so hard, only China slowly overtaking us.
In the 90s it was seen as a backwater with growing power. There was a sense that China’s economic growth would push it towards democracy. Tiananmen Square seemed like proof of that.
I remember a 90s Newsweek issue centered around China becoming the tiger in the next century. Believed that since then, and history seems to be bearing that opinion out. I just didn’t see America crashing so hard, only China slowly overtaking us.