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China's Annus Mirabilis

2021 was one for the books


 Godfree Roberts
Jun 12


2022 will be a normal year for China. Unemployment will be 5.1% as usual. Wages will rise 7.2% YoY, the decadal average. GDP will grow $1.2 trillion, accelerating at 5.4% pa.

The EU and the US would demand a global, six-month standing ovation if either achieved such results. But, after an astonishing 2021, that’s sub-par for China:


Annus Mirabilis: China’s 2021

Here’s a brief list of China’s notable achievements in 2021

  • Eliminated extreme poverty.
  • Reached 98% home ownership.
  • Kept the Covid death rate at 0.6% of America’s.
  • Grew the economy by $2 trillion PPP, the fastest growth ever.
  • Became the richest country on earth.
  • Became the world’s biggest overseas investor.
  • Became the world’s largest movie market.
  • Produced one new billionaire and 300 millionaires every workday.
  • Completed new train lines in seven countries, including Laos’ first.
  • Ran 15,000 cargo trains to and from Europe, up 30% YoY.
  • Joined RCEP trade pact, with 30% of global GDP and 30% of the world’s population.
  • Sold $140 billion retail online in 24 hours (Amazon’s record is $5 billion).
  • Launched the first central bank digital currency.
  • Dominated scientific research and issued the most patents of any country.
  • Built three exascale computers to win the Gordon Bell prize.
  • Built a programmable quantum computer 10,000x faster than Google’s Sycamore.
  • Operated the first integrated, 3,000-mile, commercial, quantum communications network.
  • Brought online two gas-cooled Pebble Bed nuclear power plants.
  • Fired up two thorium-fueled reactors, eliminating uranium from power generation.
  • Released a Covid treatment that reduces hospitalizations and deaths 78%.
  • Made 55% of global energy savings.
  • Generated 1 terawatt of renewable energy.
  • Installed one-million 5G base stations, giving Tibet better 5G service than New York.
  • Communicated between satellites via lasers, 1,000x faster than radio waves.
  • Operated the world’s most powerful solid rocket engine, with 500 tonnes thrust.
  • Flew three hypersonic missiles around the planet.
  • Released a fractional orbital bombardment missile from another missile at 17,000 mph.
  • Simultaneously commissioned three warships, becoming the world’s biggest navy.