Ha. That is so wrong. Everything you said about China was the path the Americans took as well. The big difference is the Americans now have no fall back. They are in a decline whereas the Chinese recognise that things are changing and so are they. They are moving their production outside the country. Expanding their base outside their country without military means, which the Americans have found to their detriment that only lasts so long.
I do feel the next century is the Chinese influence, and then it will switch to someone like India. The Americans time has come and gone.
The west need cheap products. That is always going to be the Chinese no matter where it is made. They have had the foresight to recognise that. The west will not accept a government that makes them pay more.
I would hazard a guess you have never been to China? There environment is pretty much the same as the US. Lots of built up areas but SO much beautiful natural landscapes all over the country.
China now is just the US 50 years ago. Everything changes and so it should or things would just deteriorate.