Fortune magazine's Geoff Colvin agreed with economist Angus Maddison that by 2015, China will become the largest economy, supplanting the USA, of the world. That's 7 years from now.

He noticed that the US supplanting then the largest economy only in 1890, overtaking, guess which country, China. Since technologies will inevitably spread to every corner of the world, population will eventually became the main factor for economy. It is only natural that China to "resume its natural role as the world's largest economy by 2015," taking them 125 years to catch up the lead the US has from industrial revolution and and wars.

I agree with the eventuality of this prediction, but not necessary the exactness of 7 years: more like 20 in my opinion. But this is hardly the main arguement.

The new generation of business leaders, now in their 20s or 40s, must learn to do business in China and with Chinese. 7 years is not that long to master a language, especially when one is not even trying.

Thanks Jim Grisanzio for mentioning. I am adding this line just to send trackback.