"Rest of world" has never ever lost from the development of any part of the world, colonial or otherwise. The only possible "loss" would be comparative, that is, China could get "more rich" than the US does from its colonial activity. More people with money to buy stuff is just a good thing. It's hard for people to let go of the competitive instinct though -- they're always comparing themselves to others in this world as opposed to comparing themselves to themselves in other possible worlds. Sad. - Daniel Dulitz