China, USA, Korea, and India are among the countries considered to be the most influential in the near future. This is what The Epoch Times reporters from France to New Zealand discovered when they asked locals, “What country do you think will be the most influential in the world by the end of this decade?”
Josef Hanak, 46, Primary School Headmaster
It depends which way you look at it, and if you consider the economic, political, or cultural aspect. From the economic perspective, I think it’ll be China. In terms of politics, the U.S. has still retained its influence; and in other aspects it’s hard to say. It depends what you focus on.
María Teresa Massieu, 47, Housewife
China. If things keep on going as they are, it’ll become the most influential country by 2020. Now, it is the most influential demographically speaking, and its citizens are living in almost every country in the world; it’s hard to find a relevant Western city that doesn’t have a Chinatown. But the real change in this century is that they are becoming, at high speed, a really powerful country in industry and economically. I wish and hope that it’ll be a good thing if some important internal things change in China when we reach the end of the decade.
Belinda Rendell, 39, Mother
I think it’s going to be China, but I don’t know if that’s a positive or negative thing. I don’t agree with their human rights; life is cheap in China and the way they treat each other is appalling. The only reason they’re so strong is because they pay people peanuts.
Robyn Dennis, 45, Library Manager
I think the most influential country at the end of the decade will be the USA and Australia will follow their lead, possibly not for the best outcome. The economy in the U.S. affects the world so much, and the war in Iraq is dragging on, and Australia’s media is too focused on the U.S.
Luciana Leite, 16, Student
The United States, because it has significant growth and a strong economy as well. If it continues like this, it will probably remain a major world power. I just think this country needs to worry more about the ecological issue.
Majid Baba Rabiaa, 36, Computer Engineer
China and Korea. That would result in a negative effect, being governed by a one-party system; that is not good.
Maylisbeth Shirvani, 37, Housewife
I think it will be the U.S. because President Obama is a powerful man and has many fans in many countries, and I hope they will catch Iran and take away the system of Iran. Maybe U.S.A. will do that, I hope.
Per Steen, 60, Cooling Technician
I think it will be China and it is going a positive way; therefore, my choice is China, because I think they have a kind of straight way to go and they only have a one-party system.
Habib Aghaee, 29, Control Project Engineer
I think a European country and the United States can be the most influential countries, and this is positive because the entire world is focusing on the economy and they have powerful economies.
Cyril, 37, Exhibition Director
I think the most influential country will be China. I don’t know if that will be positive or negative, but I think maybe more negative because the country has grown faster than the other influential countries in the past, like the U.S., and maybe it has grown a little too fast. It sounds more like a revenge than just an economic success, so that’s why I think that we have to watch out what the final problem of that country is, but I definitely believe will be the most economically successful country.
Marco Chiorino, 45, Bookseller
At the end of the decade? In my opinion the most influential country will be India. Because it is a very big country and there is a great movement; great economic changes and developments are happening there. How was it for China in recent years? I think this is inevitable and if it is positive or negative we will see.
Nozomu Yoshi, 27, Assistant Manager
China, India, and South Africa; this would create a positive effect.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “Do you think your society is preparing children well to be responsible to the future of the planet?”
