“On all kinds of measurable levels, from the trivial (piano ownership, Wi-Fi penetration, Starbucks outlets, pole-dancing studios) to the more truly significant (freeway construction, space exploration, patent-application numbers, Ph.D. candidates, military reach, currency reserves, debt ownership), China is positioning itself to outstrip everyone, regionally and globally.”
–Simon Winchester. “How Fast Can China Go?” Vanity Fair October 2011: 273-281, 303-304. Quote on page 281.