Reducing US tensions with China

MUCH of the discourse in Washington has been dominated in recent months by what politicians and pundits are now taking for granted – the new so-called cold war between China and the United States that some worry could deteriorate into a hot war, possibly over Taiwan.

From that perspective, those who are concerned that this speculative scenario could become a reality should welcome the recent comments by US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen about the need to embrace a more balanced perspective on this issue.

Addressing an audience in Washington, DC, Secretary Yellen advanced a proposal for “constructive disengagement” between the two economic superpowers that is based on the notion that the growing differences between Beijing and Washington over core geostrategic concerns should not preclude continuing economic Sino-American ties and cooperation over issues of common interest to the two countries.