Thread: When the West was itchin’ to go to China

Grab a brew and enjoy a historic tale.

When the West was itchin’ to go to China

The old Silk Roads played a major role in connecting the world through trade, and the new version can too

by Pepe Escobar October 15, 2021

The old city of Khiva in Uzbekistan. Some sections may be 5th century, but the strongest sections were built in 1686-88 and are the most intact Silk Road city.


"Forget about the incessant drumming of Cold War 2.0 against China. Forget about think-tank simpletons projecting their wishful thinking on the perpetual “end of China’s rise.”

Forget even about a few sound minds in Brussels – yes, they do exist – saying Europe does not want containment of China; it wants engagement, which means business.

Let’s time travel to nearly two millennia ago, when the Roman Empire was fascinated by the business opportunities offered by those “mysterious” lands in the East.

After the Fall of Rome and the Western half of the Empire in the 5^th century, Constantinople – the second Rome – which was in fact Greek, turned into the maximum embodiment of the only true “Romans.”

Yet contrary to the Hellenistic Greeks following Alexander the Great, who were so enticed by Asia, Romans from the end of the Republic to the establishment of the Empire were prevented from traveling further on down the road, because they were always blocked by the Parthians: never forget the spectacular Roman defeat at Carrhae in 53 BC. "

Continues .... :

When the West was itchin’ to go to China - Asia Times