The problem I have with any reports of China's economy (GDP, inflation,...) is that fact that outsiders of the Chinese gov't do not know how doctored the numbers are. The Chinese could have been (and are still continuing) in cooking the books to achieve the #1 economy. It is one of those "if the number is bigger, it is better" kind of deals.

Could the US (and other countries) be doing something similar, absolutely. But China has been known for economical "miscalculations" and the fact that it is still a more-or-less communist run system.

Sure they may have the biggest number on paper, but I really don't think the US has anything to worry about.