Discussing politics in China is a difficult thing.

Firstly, very few people have a level of English ability that actually enables them to discuss the topic on anything but a superficial level.

Secondly the education system has instilled into most people a pretty fixed view of things. Opinions tend to be memorised from a (government approved) book rather than formed.

As an example may I quote the gist of a recent a recent exam in a Chinese school:

The socialist ecomonomic system is ________ to the capitalist one.

A: superior
B: supervisior
C: improved
D: bigger

The 'correct' answer is, or course, 'A'. You're obvioiously a bit buggered if you think the capitalist system is better.

And it extends to all aspects of society. My local bar has a dart board. It's in the form of a toilet seat with a picture of the Japanese premier in the middle. Top marks if you get him on the nose. Such are Chinese history lessons.

Ask those students you met what China will be like in 50 years and you are pretty well guaranteed to get answers along the lines of 'powerful' and 'glorious'.