Why study China?

Studying China should be the United States most important topic. It consists of 1/4 of the world's population, with 5000 years of civilization. It currently contains the world's second largest economy, and fastest growing economy, at 8%. China is the 3rd biggest trading partner of the United States, and the United States largest trade deficit. It is considered to be the largest existing communist country, but the idea it is still under communism can be disputed. Under Jiang, meaningful low level elections existed, along with a term limit, and capitalists permitted to join the party. The economy consisted of stocks, and culturally, money talks. Undoubtedly, this is in stark contrast to China's long and distinct past.