DonDiego wrote:
"DonDiego suggests one encourage one's offspring to lean Mandarin. And if things don't blow up altogether one's grandchildren might do well to learn Russian; when those Russkies start monetizing all their natural resources they will prosper."
DonDiego would like to amend his suggestions for one's grandchildren.
Based upon recent Chinese political changes, poor old DonDiego has lost some enthusiam for the prosepcts for free-trade, prosperity, and the advance of democracy within the World's Most Populated Country.
Within the last few weeks the Chinese Parliament has agreed with, . . . or caved to, . . . the wishes of President Xi Ping to remain President for Life. It seems the construction of "facilities" in the South China Sea are indeed a sign of Mr. President's desire to expand the scope of China not only economically but also physically and possibly - by calculation or mishap - militarily.
In any case historically a "President for Life" has been found to be incompatible with a "free-economy". Perhaps President Xi forsees economic challenges ahead and intends to overcome them by dictat.
Beyond the forays into the South China sea, . . . now pretty much a fait-accompli, . . . China has announced an intention to supplant the US PetroDollar with the Chinese PetroYuan. The US has so far not interfered with the South China Sea expansion; what it will do to "compete" with the PetroYuan remains unknown.
But the potential for conflicts between the USA and China is rising.
So learning Mandarin may not be a path to economic well-being, as tying one's future to that of China has become more risky; on the other hand there may be great demand for interpreters.
Russia's resources will still pay off in the long term, . . . but significant conflicts resulting from China's apparent intentions might disrupt such progress.
DonDiego's recommendation to diversify one's assets remains a wise course, . . . especially if confrontations between China and the Good old USA become more than purely economic exercises. A second home in a friendly neutral Country isn't a bad idea either; Uruguay has an excellent climate.