besides that, china has a history of conquering neighboring lands for natural resources. it's currently in contention with practically every asian country (including india). it also deposed/conquered the tibetan government for natural resources.
Really China economy is starting to spurtter. There wages are much better then ones of lower class countries. There wage is above 600 USD in some parts ofthere country. Two months ago they went into a european country to start a relationship with them so they can probably open more factories. I dont think there economy is that bad you think it is.
I assure you, the economy is not bad at all, it is improving very well.
The biggest problem in China is education, morals and common sense.
My parents are from Hong Kong, (a ex-british colony part of China, which is considered a "city", and does not have to follow chinese rules and governs itself) and seeing what we call "mainland" tourists is just horrifying. Apparently taking a dump on the floor at a 60-floor shopping center is perfectly acceptable, and when security is called, they try to bribe them (WTF?) and if not, just punch them in their face.