They are dependent on us, OSB, but IMO their dependence on us is just not the same type of dependence. And it is somewhat difficult to explain what I mean. One major way we differ is in our standard of living. When I went I was with a group of nurses. And as such, we live very differently that the nurses in China. We all have our own homes and individual lives. In China, the nurses live in the hospital. They have their own 'quarters' 6 to a room, bunk beds and very few personal belongings. We are so invested in our 'lifestyles' here that to lose that would be in many cases insurmountable. There, such loss would change very little in the lives of the individual. Globally speaking, yes, they ARE dependent on us. Individually, I'm not sure they really are. And one but has to drive past miles and miles of the communist apartments all of which have the thermoses that holds their boiled water sitting in the windows.