by Milanie Joy Lee
A recent poll conducted shows Asians see the United States losing its undisputed superpower status to China. I realized that, as a Tsinoy, it is actually in my nature to compare the two countries upon which my roots are grounded. Through the years, I have seen China – once called the Sleeping Giant – awake from its deep slumber, as the Philippines continue to be lulled into sleep.
Now, China already poses a great threat against the United States and is nearing the top as the world’s leading military and economic power. And where, you might ask, is the Philippines? I don’t know, but one thing is for sure: it is nowhere near China.
For this reason, I would like to point out China’s advantage over the Philippines. Although both are two of the most populous nations in the world, China apparently knew how to turn the huge number to its benefit. China has employed its enormous population in its labor force, and thus amassed the world’s largest trade surplus, which consequently increased the country’s productivity.
In the Philippine situation, it is clear that there is not much strength in numbers. But if we can find a way to utilize our country’s surplus manpower, perhaps like China, the problem of sustaining a huge population will not be much of an issue anymore.