$123,000,000,000,000.

ECONOMIC development; ECONOMIC conditions in China, 2000-; TWENTY-first century; CHINESE economic policy; ECONOMIC policy; HIGHER education & state

The author discusses reasons why he believes China will have the world's largest economy in the year 2040. Figures indicate employee productivity increases with education, and China has made massive investments to increase its ranks of college-educated workers. Hundreds of millions of people live in China's rural areas, and they will continue to make a sizable contribution to China's growth. Inadequate record-keeping suggests China's economy is already developing faster than many realize. Contrary to popular opinion, China's political system allows scope for constructive criticism and change.