What exactly have they won?

Yes, if not today soon they will be the worlds largest economy. I wonder if it is appropriate to call that a victory. Being number 1 or number 2, when essentially number 1 and 2 are almost equal does not seem that big a deal. Long ago we realized that China was the only other superpower. Well, maybe not everyone realized that.

Yes, an authoritarian government that has the support of the people will advance faster than a democracy that is divided if that authoritarian government acts wisely.

Yes, China has a larger population and a large landmass with large coastlines. Strategically in a fairly good position.

Yes, China violates international norms to its own advantage. The U.S., Russia and others do so as well.

Yes, China could not have achieved what they have without our help and what they have stolen from us. If we wanted to beat China, Nixon would have need to start strong sanctions or even attack China instead of opening to China.

Yes, there is no stopping China from becoming the dominate world power except China itself. We can race to keep up but that just means we don't fall as far behind. What made America exceptional was circumstances, those circumstances have now changed to make China exceptional.

You might not agree with what Trump did with China but it at least brought China's ascendency to greater awareness.

TEK