Contrary to all the narratives I heard growing up about population growth and overpopulation, China's population is projected to be HALF of what it is today in the year 2100. (Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/world-population-2100-country/)
1.4+ billion to a mere 700 billion, mostly older people is a recipe for disaster. It seems that the return to communist principles isn't serving the country well.
However, one factor that China has in its favor is nuclear power. All the nuclear plants that they have spent years developing and building will provide them electricity at HALF the cost as compared to the USA within a couple of decades. This implies to me that China's economy will shift increasingly towards using machines and AI, rather than humans, for manufacturing and labor.
I hope the West can keep up with the nuclear energy race. Interesting times ahead.