Abstract

A growing number of US strategic voices have expressed serious concern about the downward spiral of US-China relations. As Dr. Kissinger recently pointed out, no significant conflicts of interest between the US and China could prevent a state of "permanent confrontation." At the same time, he worried that once the relationship entered such a state, any minor conflict could escalate into a disastrous war and that a consensus should be formed between the US and China that miscalculations leading to war must be avoided. Indeed, it is in the common interest of China and the US to stabilize their relations as soon as possible. China needs to maintain control of the relationship between the two countries. We must be sober enough to realize that after the failure of the economic and trade relationship, which is the traditional ballast of China-US relations, the two countries should be on new solid footing to stabilize their relations immediately. Cooperation in climate governance, preventing nuclear proliferation, providing international public health products, and curbing inflation promise new ballast stabilizing the relationship.