Neutrality Studies [Back issue] Historian Reveals 2000 Years Of Chinese Economic Power | Michael Pembroke
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Oct 5, 2025 In this riveting discussion, Michael Pembroke, an esteemed Australian historian and author, unveils 2,000 years of China’s economic power. He reveals that China dominated global trade for most of history, with intriguing tales of early Roman silk demand draining precious metals. Pembroke questions the myth of Marco Polo's significance and discusses the implications of the opium trade on sovereignty and societal health. He also highlights modern trade dynamics and China's shifting global ties, emphasizing that today's rise echoes historical patterns.
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Silver Flowed East, Goods Flowed West
- Historical trade was heavily one-way: Europeans imported Chinese luxury goods and paid mostly in silver.
- By the 18th century Europeans feared the drain of silver to China and debated blocking the trade.
How Roman Soldiers Discovered Silk
- Roman soldiers first encountered silk after Parthian cavalry displayed silk pennants and used superior arrows.
- That encounter helped spark Rome's long craze for Chinese silk and costly imports.
Pax Mongolica Reconnected Eurasia
- The Mongol Empire reopened safe overland Eurasian routes, enabling direct travel from Europe to China.
- That temporary Pax Mongolica allowed merchants, missionaries, and envoys to traverse Eurasia with unprecedented security.
