Country	GNI per capita 2017 ($US)
Malaysia	$9,650
Russia	$9,230
Grenada	$9,180
St Lucia	$8,830
China	$8,690

China is still fundamentally a rural nation but the “American owned West” keep moving the goal posts
Source: World Bank and OECD National Accounts data files

The World Bank, however, defines a high-income country — or “developed” country — by setting the threshold for gross national income (GNI) per capita at $US12,055 ($16,900).

Since China’s GNI per capita — at $US8,690 in 2017 — falls below the threshold, it could possibly argue that it is eligible for the status under this framework.

via Why is emerging global superpower China still categorised as a ‘developing’ country? – China power – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)