Sorry, but this is a pretty desperate article.

Research firm Capital Economics recently projected that China would still be the No.2 economy in 2050.

Ok, so one London based economic research firm disagrees with the rest that China will surpass the US economy in the next few decades? Why is that compelling compared to (the rest?)[https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-asia-china-55454146]

Nor can China match the U.S. in international affairs. Beijing lacks the close alliances with other countries that Washington can count on to extend its influence.

Extending influence doesn't have to be the mark of a powerful economy -- what's noteworthy about China is that they are able to become powerful without following in the footsteps of western imperialism. That said, (China's relations with Europe)[https://www.csis.org/analysis/eus-investment-agreement-china-diplomatic-opportunity] are continuing to grow, and they have more powerful relations in Asia and the Middle East than we do.

China’s currency, the yuan, isn’t likely to contest the primacy of the U.S. dollar in the global economy anytime soon.

So are we just going to ignore Saudi Arabia and their growing direction towards the (Petro Yuan?)[https://eurasiantimes.com/petro-dollar-vs-petro-yuan-is-china-set-to-replace-u-s-as-the-biggest-player-in-m-east-as-ties-grow-with-saudi-arabia/?amp]