Part 12/14:
Despite the seemingly robust statistics, the real indicators of trouble are internal and external tolerance. A decisive rejection of Chinese goods by major markets would cut off the primary external support. Internally, widespread worker protests, refusal to work overtime, or a societal pushback against exploitation could drastically reduce production capacity.
The crucial question remains: how long can this artificial life support last? The current state is akin to a patient on life support—survivable in the short term but critically ill beneath the surface. The monitors show stability, but the patient’s underlying health is failing. An external shock—such as a major trade barrier, a mass labor uprising, or a demographic shift—could lead to a rapid and catastrophic collapse.