IMHO, that is why China will not slow down significantly even if the world slows down. Unlike their western counterparts the Chinese government's massive war chest of foreign reserves can be deployed on infrastructure projects, housing etc. to boost their economy. The powers that be in China will never allow their economy to fall below a certain level as it will spell unemployment, riots, civil unrest and ultimately the loss of their control and power. The communist party ruling China are not stupid - they got into power by the support of the common people. Will they allow their economy to crash and erode their support from the masses? If you think they will ever let that happen then by all means bet against the commodity boom and rising prices for copper.