But as China's economy continues to grow, so does the country's energy consumption, and with it the scale of the challenge that the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) faces.
But as China's coastal provinces -- which were first opened for Western-style economic reform in 1979 -- grow more expensive, more companies are moving factories into rural areas, sparking a new wave of development and giving workers more options closer to home.
It would indeed be ironic if a change in China's exchange-rate policy came not as a result of American pressure, but from China's own disillusion with the dollar as an international reserve currency.
It is true that an appreciation might modestly and temporarily slow China's growth as the economy changes gear but, since China's exports contain lots of imported inputs, it is hard to see even a double-digit yuan appreciation sending exports into a tail-spin.
ECONOMIST: China should loosen its currency peg��and quickly
But as the weight of China's economy in the world continues to grow over coming years, one day they will be.
But as with the rest of China's growth model, the imbalances created by its lopsided approach to internationalising the currency will eventually have to be resolved.
Beijing insists its auto industry needs protection as it forms conglomerates, but there is little sign China's 120 auto-makers want to join hands, linked as many are to local interests.
But as China grows and expands, it's going to be using more energy as well.
WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds Town Hall with Chinese Youth
Military spending has increased at a similar rate for most of the past two decades, but this year's increase comes as China's overall economic growth begins to slow, with parliament approving an official GDP growth target of 7.5% for the second year running, compared with an average growth of more than 10% for most of the past decade.
Military spending has increased at a similar rate for most of the past two decades, but this year's increase comes as China's overall economic growth begins to slow, with parliament expected to approve an official GDP growth target of 7.5% for the second year running, compared with an average of more than 10% for most of the past decade.
The figures will be good news for them, but also for the world economy, as China's factory output is indicative of global demand for the country's consumer products.
BBC: China sees both industrial output and retail sales rise
Trevisani doubts the rumors that either Home Depot or Lowe's might bid for the company, but she's focusing on Kingfisher's ability to grow in emerging markets such as China, Russia and Poland.
To be sure, the embargo "may cause upward pressure on oil prices in Europe in the short term as Iran's oil is diverted, but lower prices elsewhere, " Standard Chartered said, as China would likely take advantage by negotiating discounts.
America still spends four-and-a-half times as much on defence, but on present trends China's defence spending could overtake America's after 2035 (see chart).
ECONOMIST: China��s military rise: The dragon��s new teeth | The
Foreigners argue that a stronger yuan would not only help reduce global imbalances, such as America's trade deficit, but would also benefit China.
ECONOMIST: Why China resists foreign demands to revalue its currency
But as investors returned after a three-session holiday, China's Shanghai Composite rose 1.7% after Beijing raised the amount foreigners would be allowed to invest in financial markets.
But while U.S. trade to China is increasing as China consumers get richer, and their currency gets stronger, it is miniscule in comparison to what the U.S imports from there.
Cordani notes that administrative costs for health insurance carriers will go up, pushing Cigna to not just encourage more lifestyle and chronic care management programs in China, but in the U.S. as well as a way to off-set some of these anticipated costs.
But economists are anxious about the balance of China's economy as much as its speed.
Their disagreement involves not only the policy's future, but also (as so often in China) its past.
In 2009, the US lost its position as Brazil's biggest trading partner to China, but bilateral trade still runs to billions of dollars.
BBC: Brazil sees steady ties with US after Obama re-election
But the best way to reach China's older generation, as most local companies and, increasingly, many foreign ones are starting to realise, may be indirectly, by appealing to the Confucian values of respect for family elders.
But Fitch believes money is passing through less visible channels, such as China's lightly regulated trust companies.
Dave Clarke and Jon Gribben went close as Tony Larkin's side pushed for the equaliser, but China held on to win.
But during the next four years, China's oil imports will double as the Chinese give up their bicycles.
But this could indicate that China's trade surplus will continue for just as long as inventories of imported raw materials and components are being liquidated.
But even here, strangely enough, relations with China are as much on people's minds as they are in Latin America as a whole (see article).
This implies that it is natural for China's exchange rate to be below its PPP, but as it gets richer and productivity rises, its real exchange rate should rise.
ECONOMIST: Economics focus: Burger-thy-neighbour policies | The
GEM, too, but it is counting on Hong Kong's unique position as the financial gateway to China to make a difference.
Vettel, who collected wins in China and Britain, had emerged as Button's chief rival but Webber's maiden victory on his team-mate's home soil has also put the Australian in the frame for the title race.
应用推荐