Amid all the talk about Europe, about who is running for President in this country in 2012, you’ll find comments about what China is doing, and whether they present a threat to us, be it economic or military or whatever.

As we wonder how we are going to solve our problems, be it unemployment, housing, debt or politics, here’s one problem that is going to rear its ugly head sooner or later. How it impacts our lives I have no idea, but it will.

Take a close look at these images. You’re not looking at a sports complex leftover from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics; it is a marvel of modern architectural design — but for all the wrong reasons.

Zhengzhou New District is just one of China’s many “ghost towns.” China’s economy depends on growth rather than profit. So, to fuel growth stats, the Chinese government has been building unnecessary housing units in remote areas of the country. Officially, in 2010, a mind-boggling 65 million homes were vacant.

China’s economy is a clever web of cheap currency, high-volume exports, low to non-existent margins, and loose lending practices, all for the purpose of pacifying its massive population. Yes, its economy is growing rapidly. But does “bigger” mean “more robust”?

Consider this: by the time my grandchild reaches adulthood, and has transitioned from being looked after by his parents, to when he is now looking after himself, there will be more people age 65 and older in China than we have people. How will they manage their daily lives and who provides their health care? Where will their food come from?