China is not presently the most “powerful” country in the world. It is however, at the very least, among the top three most powerful countries.

It is on track to become the most powerful (economically, militaristically) in a matter of a couple of decades. The United States, and other western countries, simply aren’t going to be able to compete with China’s unique blend of Capitalist markets mixed with the fact that it’s all controlled centrally by the state. It is a system which has alleviated poverty more quickly & efficiently than any other system that has existed on this planet, like it or not. They can simply achieve things with an expediency & efficiency that is absolutely unrivaled by any of the so called “democratic” nations of the West. They are also the first major nation to ever have attempted anything resembling this sort of “blend” of capitalist & communist policies, and they have hit it out of the ballpark on the first try.

The only thing that could stop the “sleeping dragon” that is China, would be military engagement. This would not bode well for anyone. China has the second largest/formidable military behind the United States, and they would have allies with Russia. It would be a catastrophic war if the West attempted to go through with it. Likely worse than the results of the previous two World Wars.

And there’s no guarantee whatsoever that the West would come out the victors.