Most powerful country in Asia currently?

[JasonDebenah89]

Excluding Russia, what do you think is the most powerful country in Asia currently?

[Dereich]

I can't think of any area in which China is not the correct answer, even if you include Russia, except maaaybe naval power where I've seen it argued that Japan has an edge.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I can't think of any area in which China is not the correct answer, even if you include Russia, except maaaybe naval power where I've seen it argued that Japan has an edge.

Really? China has the second largest navy in the world in terms of tonnage.

[Beet]

I can't think of any area in which China is not the correct answer, even if you include Russia, except maaaybe naval power where I've seen it argued that Japan has an edge.

Russia's nuclear arsenal certainly makes it #2 in the world, no question.

[Santander]

I can't think of any area in which China is not the correct answer, even if you include Russia, except maaaybe naval power where I've seen it argued that Japan has an edge.

Really? China has the second largest navy in the world in terms of tonnage.

They have a secondhand aircraft carrier that they bought as a "museum ship"... not exactly impressive hardware.

Anyway, this is not even a question. Of course it's China. China's only rivals in Asia are the US, and to a lesser extent, India. Japan and South Korea are just American client states as far as geopolitics is concerned.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I can't think of any area in which China is not the correct answer, even if you include Russia, except maaaybe naval power where I've seen it argued that Japan has an edge.

Russia's nuclear arsenal certainly makes it #2 in the world, no question.

Speaking of nuclear arsenal, China ranks 4th behind Russia, U.S. and France. From what I've heard their actual ability to launch an intercontinental attack is limited. I also remember reading China's nuclear arsenal was designed primarily to keep the check on Soviet border.

I guess only Russia and the U.S. have enough nuclear devices and delivery capabilities for a massice intercontinental strike.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I can't think of any area in which China is not the correct answer, even if you include Russia, except maaaybe naval power where I've seen it argued that Japan has an edge.

Really? China has the second largest navy in the world in terms of tonnage.

They have a secondhand aircraft carrier that they bought as a "museum ship"... not exactly impressive hardware.

Well, less of a museum ship than Brazil's aircraft carrier anyway Except Brazil is about to retire it.

OK, I guess Japan had smaller, but more modern naval force.

[TDAS04]

North Korea.



Serious answer is obviously China.

[Beet]

I can't think of any area in which China is not the correct answer, even if you include Russia, except maaaybe naval power where I've seen it argued that Japan has an edge.

Russia's nuclear arsenal certainly makes it #2 in the world, no question.

Speaking of nuclear arsenal, China ranks 4th behind Russia, U.S. and France. From what I've heard their actual ability to launch an intercontinental attack is limited. I also remember reading China's nuclear arsenal was designed primarily to keep the check on Soviet border.

I guess only Russia and the U.S. have enough nuclear devices and delivery capabilities for a massice intercontinental strike.

Perhaps, but it recently announced a new ICBM that can carry 12 warheads and hit any spot in the U.S.:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a24893/china-announces-deployment-long-range-nuclear-missile/

That being said they are still far behind Russia's, of course.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

If we're talking hard power, Russia. If we're talking influence + soft power + hard power, China.

[Kingpoleon]

I think the more interesting question is which are the more powerful than expectations would dictate? On that scale I would put India and Vietnam.

1. Russia
2. China

[dead0man]

The PRC has too many HUGE internal issues for it to be such a clear favorite here.  Plus, they make garbage.  Did somebody really try to use Naval tonnage as a measure for how good a country's Navy is?  That doesn't make sense in any era, but least of all this one.

Maybe if you could isolate individual countries into some magical box and make them go at it the PRC might win against any other individual Asian country....but back here in the real world, the answer to the OP is Japan.

[Mopsus]

FACT: Philippino's are the most powerful race in the world.

[Jesus save us]

I'd make the case for Saudi Arabia's soft power/political influence exceeding China's.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I'd make the case for Saudi Arabia's soft power/political influence exceeding China's.

that's a house of cards if ever I saw one.