The Future of China and infrastructure

Some interesting things I have noticed on my trip to China so far. One that will have a huge impact on the global economy is something that is perhaps unexpected. A decade ago entrepreneurs like Jim Rogers and other experts where confidently predicting that learning Cantonese or Mandarin where going to be key for the businessmen and women of the 21st Century or as we perhaps should refer to it as the 'Pacific' century.
However, with the opening up of China and the rapid urbanisation and modernisation of its economy the reverse is actually happening. In Shanghai and many other mega cities in China learning English in primary school has now become compulsory. Within 20 years everyone under the age of 30 will speak at least some English.
What will the impact be? Tourism is taking off in a big way and so is Business travel. For the Chinese to offer world class services, which in many cases they do already, they will now add that most important piece of soft infrastructure: language.
China has the road, rail, air, sea, energy and telecommunications links either in place just now, being upgraded or being planned. This last piece of the jigsaw could help China challenge the USA in becoming the world's number one economy.
English became the language of business during the 1800s and 1900s. The 21st century was headed for a Blade Runner style mix of Hispanic and the Orient. However, Perhaps in the future the language of Earth will be English? It was once earmarked for demise due to Spanish and Mandarin being the languages of the future, but as we are witnessing now in China, the Chinese can't wait for the future and want to be number one, now.
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