Quote Originally Posted by Slowandsteady View Post
I don't believe it's likely these statements will turn into actions, so long as China keeps paying up.
These investments run in a cycle. Early on, the leaders are getting bribes, so they're happy, and the populace sees roads, mines, and factories being built, so they're happy. As things go on, a gradual disillusionment sets in, as it becomes clear that most of the "investment" is going back to China, that the foreigners are bringing their own labor instead of hiring locally, and that local folks are increasingly being treated as second-class citizens in their own country. As the investment reaches the point where it's generating returns (and let's face it, the Chinese wouldn't be going in if they didn't think they'd take out more value than they bring in), it becomes clear that the resources are being stripped and the only ones earning out of it are the leaders. At this point the foreign presence becomes a focus point for political opposition and eventually can generate serious disorder.

We'll see what happens... but if a European country did what the Chinese are doing I suspect most of us would see it as a recipe for disaster. Why should it be any different for the Chinese?