Keep an eye on China...
Or actually, try to keep up with China.

BBC Story: China's economy is projected to grow so fast that it could outstrip all developed nations by 2050, a report by Pricewaterhouse says.

The Asian giant's economy is set to double in size between 2005 and 2050, according to the report.

As with other developing countries, a key driver for China's rapid growth is its younger, cheaper workforce, it argues.

India, meanwhile, is expected to be the world's fastest-growing economy.

Interestingly, the Financial Times is reporting today that China is about to abandon most numerical economic targets from its decades-old planning system as part of an effort to change the country's obsession with growth at the expense of social programmes and the environment.

This is a healthy move to bring some balance -- recognizing that economic growth does not necessarily translate into quality of life growth. Still, even if they slow things down China is the force to be reckoned with.

A few weeks ago I was talking with my confirmation students (junior high) about what languages they are studying in school. I asked them what they thought was the most important second language to know. They answered, "Spanish" -- which of course, they know a bit of just from the playground (except for Anthony -- who speaks both Spanish and English at home). I asked what they thought was another important language to learn. They quickly responded -- "Chinese!" They know. They're sharp kids.