We had some exchanges on the Corner a few days ago about whether or not this

is likely to be the Chinese century. This followed a silly article by

clapped-out old bore — oops, sorry! highly respected elder statesman of

journalism — Sir William Rees-Mogg.

I pooh-poohed the whole idea. Martin Vander Weyer does likewise in the

current (so far as airmail subscribers are concerned — Jan. 8) issue of

The Spectator

(You may need to be a subscriber to read it.)