Still a developing country

China's rapid economic development and its ever-growing international economic and political clout over the past decades have produced many optimistic predictions at home and abroad about its future.

In the latest forecast, the Chinese Academy of Sciences said on Tuesday China will surpass the United States in an all-around way and realize the anticipated "national rejuvenation" by 2049, as long as it adheres to a sound development model.

The National Health Report published by the academy outlines the timetable for achieving this: China's economy will surpass the United States' by 2019 and China will have a higher "international status" than the US by 2049.