Key Issue: Any talking points for the discussions between Yellen and China (… and Iran) ?

Recommended mood music: Where did you sleep last night?

Key issue: Can The Wall Ztreet Journal suggest a talking point for Janet Yellen and China ?

38°52'22.07"N 56°16'32.31"E
39°54'26.06"N 116°23'22.09"E

The historic trading relationship between Iran and China can be traced back to the ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected the East and West, primarily between China and the Mediterranean Sea. The Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between various regions, including Persia (modern-day Iran) and China.

Earliest known routes and important people:

Zhang Qian: A Chinese diplomat and explorer during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), Zhang Qian played a crucial role in establishing the Silk Road. He was sent by Emperor Wu of Han on a mission to form an alliance with the Yuezhi people against the Xiongnu. Although he was captured by the Xiongnu, Zhang Qian eventually escaped and returned to China with valuable information about the western regions, including Persia.

Ban Chao: A Chinese general and diplomat during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE), Ban Chao led military campaigns to secure the Silk Road and establish Chinese control over the Tarim Basin. His efforts helped to maintain the flow of trade between China and the West, including Persia.

Parthian Empire: The Parthian Empire (247 BCE - 224 CE) controlled parts of the Silk Road and acted as an intermediary between China and the Roman Empire. The Parthians facilitated trade between the two great powers and benefited from the exchange of goods, such as Chinese silk and Roman glassware.

Sassanid Empire: The Sassanid Empire (224-651 CE) succeeded the Parthian Empire and continued to play a significant role in the Silk Road trade. The Sassanids had a strong trading relationship with China, exchanging goods such as Persian silver and Chinese silk.

Sogdian merchants: The Sogdians, an ancient Iranian people from the region of Sogdia (modern-day Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), were influential merchants along the Silk Road. They acted as middlemen, facilitating trade between China, Persia, and other regions.

The trade between Iran and China along the Silk Road involved the exchange of various goods, including:

Chinese silk, porcelain, lacquerware, and tea
Persian carpets, textiles, spices, and precious stones
Central Asian horses, furs, and jade

The Silk Road trade reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) in China and the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE) in the Islamic world, which included Persia. The exchange of goods and ideas along the Silk Road had a profound impact on the development of civilizations in both the East and the West, fostering cultural, artistic, and technological advancements.

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To estimate the potential size of a parallel underground society along the Silk Road trading primarily in gold and silver, we need to consider several factors:

Initial population size
Growth rate (1.2% annually)
Time period

Let's assume the following:

The initial population of the underground society is 10,000.
The society experiences a constant annual growth rate of 1.2%.
We will calculate the population size after 100, 200, and 500 years.

We can use the compound growth formula:
A = P(1 + r)^t

Where:
A = Final population size
P = Initial population size
r = Annual growth rate (expressed as a decimal)
t = Number of years

After 100 years:
A = 10,000(1 + 0.012)^100 = 32,968

After 200 years:
A = 10,000(1 + 0.012)^200 = 108,663

After 500 years:
A = 10,000(1 + 0.012)^500 = 3,659,823

Based on these calculations, the parallel underground society could theoretically grow to:

Approximately 33,000 people after 100 years
Approximately 109,000 people after 200 years
Approximately 3.7 million people after 500 years

However, it is essential to note that these calculations assume ideal conditions and do not account for various factors that could impact population growth, such as:

Resource constraints (e.g., food, water, and living space)
Economic fluctuations and market saturation
Political and social instability
Environmental factors and natural disasters
Diseases and epidemics

In reality, the growth of such a society would likely be limited by these factors, and the population size would eventually stabilize or decline as it approaches its carrying capacity. Additionally, the growth rate of 1.2% may not remain constant over long periods, as it can be influenced by changes in fertility rates, mortality rates, and migration patterns.