"doing much better" in what sense? Who wants to live as a slave? Shouldn't the goal a country be maximal quality of life?

The progression of quality of life in China is such that it's on the way of surpassing Europe's very soon (if not already done)

That seems rather dubious.

I don't see the Chinese having vacations, great houses, breathing good air and eating quality food. Woe unto them.

Then you are blind or ignorant. Visit any European capital these days to find large flocks of Chinese tourists enjoying their expensive vacations, shopping tours and gadgets.

I make more than enough money from a regular 9-5 job to enjoy all of those things. I really don't see any way to justify working 996 without some sort of absurdly high pay, which I doubt those workers are getting. That sounds more like modern slavery.

> I really don't see any way to justify working 996 without some sort of absurdly high pay,

Many people don't just work for the immediate monetary benefit. Some like the company or see some value in working there or in that industry specifically, some want to prove themselves in a competitive environment to raise in ranks and see better chances even if the starting position is bad etc. ... Some might even like the rough working conditions because they appeal to their work ethic. Slavery would mean they have no choice but they do and they choose 996.

In the US, I have seen large flocks of tourists from Europe enjoying their expensive vacations, shopping tours, and gadgets as well.

Not to mention throwing litter and spitting on the street, vile people.

Slurring epithets will get you banned here. Please review https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and do not post anything like this to HN again.

The Chinese are the americans of the american continent, or the dutch of europe: they're everywhere and they have the money.

For instance, they amount for 1/3 of all of Thailand's tourism, the most touristic country in the world.

They do build amazing futuristic condos. Google "shanghai skyline". It takes time though...

And Western food is not always known for its quality: the west gave the world burgers, fries or pizzas.

In the end, I'm sure Asia is doing so well because the West thinks poorly of them and leaves them alone.

Hint: I live in Asia and I'm amazed at how so many westerners don't get Asia.

> I live in Asia and I'm amazed at how so many westerners don't get Asia.

I know this is true. I also know that most asians don't get westerners.

I think one of these divides might be that each has a different idea of what a high "quality of life" is.

> The Chinese are the americans of the american continent

They are now also the Russians of the international luxury real estate market together with the Saudis. I really wonder why some people are so much in denial of these changes.

Really? GDP says otherwise.

GDP is a really bad measure, especially when you're financing it through QE and zero-interest monetary policy. We should at least have sovereign-debt-adjusted domestic product.