"the Office" China(2010) ◉ [ LIMITED ]

In " China " (Season 7, Episode 10), which originally aired on , Michael Scott becomes obsessed with China's rise as a global superpower after reading an article in the breakroom. Episode Summary

: In 2010, China officially surpassed Japan to become the world's second-largest economy . "The Office" China(2010)

: Convinced that China will soon overtake the United States, Michael challenges the office to a debate. To his surprise, Oscar is the only one who can counter his hyperbolic claims with facts. Determined to win, Michael spends the day researching and eventually manages to stump Oscar with a technicality, earning him a hollow victory and the temporary title of the office's "intellectual." In " China " (Season 7, Episode 10),

: Everyone in the office is fed up with Dwight’s extreme cost-cutting measures—like "half-ply" toilet paper and turning off the lights in the hallways. Pam, acting as Office Administrator, threatens to move Dunder Mifflin to a new building. To his surprise, Oscar is the only one

For more details on the episode's production and cast, you can visit the IMDb page for "China" . 2010 Annual Report - CECC.gov

The episode reflected real-world anxieties of the time, as 2010 was a landmark year for China's global standing:

: Tensions regarding currency valuation and trade deficits with the U.S. were frequent headlines in major publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.