It’s almost April Fool’s’ Day, and here’s a mock edition of the People’s Daily Overseas Edition newspaper written at some date in China’s future. This satire is finding its way around on the internet.

Check out these headlines:

The main headline at the upper left, above the mushroom cloud, reads: “China Successfully Tests new Type of Nuclear Bomb on San Francisco.”

Next to it in the top middle of the page: “United Nations HQ Moves to Beijing.”

Are you getting the picture? It’s enough to cheer up any Chinese less than chipper about the future.

At top right, the headline reads: “Premier Wen Jiabao accompanied by Gov. Ma Ying-jeou pays a visit to Taiwan.” (In other words, Taiwan has already been absorbed into China.)

At lower right, under the NBA logo, is the headline: “Yao Ming recovers from injury, helps Rockets with championship.”

Smaller headlines lower on the page read:

“Chinese government Apologizes for Accidental Bombing of Pentagon.”

“Dalai Lama is Shot and Killed.”

“Major Earthquake hits Japanese Islands;
           Chinese government Sends Rescue Team.
                      No Survivors found Yet.”

“China Plans to Build 2nd Patriotic Military Base on Moon.”

It’s interesting that headlines play off not only natural interest in China growing ever stronger but also in seeing punishment wrought on its perceived enemies. Japan is abolished in a big quake, and the bombs fall repeatedly on the United States.