The end of cheap China?

Many projections show how China will become the biggest economy in a couple of years. The calculation is simple enough, since China in average grows at 3 times the pace of the US (currently the biggest economy).

What is often omitted in these projections however, is that China has its own challenges as well. The Economist panel discussion beneath mentions the avenge of 3D printing and the lack of protection for the rising middle class. Strangely they forgot to mention the dramatically aging population in China.

On the positive side the panelists mention China's productivity growth and a solid supply chain in comparison to other Asian countries. But still, the big question for China's near future is how manufacturing will evolve, and whether China is able to morph into a different economic texture in order to benefit from the next wave job growth (wherever that will come from).