So could Beijing's dedollarisation drive, of which the gold-buying frenzy is reportedly a key component, have the ultimate goal of toppling the US economy? Though Roach doesn't state this directly, the implication is there.

Shockingly, the Lowry Institute expert warns that the mass ditching of the US dollar would lead to hyperinflation in the US (that would probably make the price rises of the past couple of years seem tame), as well as a spike in interest rates and falling asset prices.

Whether this is wild speculation or a reasonable prediction remains to be seen, although one thing's for sure: China's gold frenzy shows no sign of settling down, and could even intensify in the coming years.

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What's behind China's astonishing gold-buying spree?