India to supersede 'ageing' China as Asia's dominant nation: Howard

SYDNEY: China is "rapidly ageing" because of its one-child policy and this will
allow India, a younger country, to supersede it as the dominant nation in Asia
before the end of the 21st century, former Australian prime minister John
Howard has said.

"The problem China has is that she will grow old before she grows rich, she's got a
terrible demographic problem because of the one-child policy. China is a rapidly
ageing country, whereas a country like India is a younger country and I wouldn't
be surprised if by the end of the century India is a more powerful country,"
Howard was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Howard said changing power bases in Asia justified his government's decision to
forge new regional alliances while strengthening Australia's ties to its traditional
allies. He served as the prime minister from 1996 to 2007.

Howard, however, said China could never overtake the US as the world's military
or financial superpower.

"I think China is a rising power but I do not share the view China will ever outstrip
the US as an economic power or military power," he said.

"I think one of the problems China has is eventually she will have to decide
whether she can maintain a position where the country is economically liberal
and open and, politically, still closed and controlled."

The former prime minister was speaking at a luncheon held to promote his
autobiography, "Lazarus Rising".