I wanted to use the term of complex and often misunderstood meaning, ‘erstwhile’, in relation to China, modern China – itself a term of complex and often misunderstood meaning. But since ‘erstwhile’ is usually taken to refer to someone or something whose star once, somewhere back in time, shone brightly compared to others, but now perhaps not so much or even not at all, I at first had to think carefully about this. I concluded that the ‘waning star from way back’ was not the only possible interpretation or contrast which could be drawn. How about a star with a glorious past which still shines brightly, perhaps even brighter than ever before. Is that not also a valid use of the term ‘erstwhile’? And does that not fit modern China? A China which has perhaps one of the longest human histories, but which remained perhaps one of the poorest of any nation on Earth up to the latter part of the previous century (that’s just a vague impression I have, so let’s not dwell on the absolute truth of the statement), but now shines as the leading (largest) economy of all nations in the world (which is true by some economic measures at least).
Is that not truly ‘erstwhile’ in the sense of ‘important in the past (through long growth and resilience), and yet still standing, still prospering’? I think so, and it is in that sense I believe China to be truly erstwhile, and now have said so.
There are a few things I want to share from a new article by Pepe Escobar, which add to what I just said. He discusses, in his own inimitable way, a speech by Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of China.
Pepe said, “…the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, held last week at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, were a pretty serious deal.”.
That just sets the scene.
“…the stellar performance by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who forcefully imprinted in the collective psyche of the Global Majority how China should be regarded as a premier source of stability in this extremely turbulent geopolitical juncture, standing firm “in the right side of History”.
The emphasis is mine.
Pepe reports Wang Yi as saying “But this should be seen as the paramount concept: “No country should fantasize that it can suppress China and maintain good relations with us at the same time.”.
Enough said, from me I think …and now you can read the whole thing…
‘Pepe Escobar: Made in China 2025 – Revisited’ – Pepe Escobar – Sputnik International – Mar 12, 2025
Not Something Else 
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