No wrong US message to secessionists

This doesn't seem to be a good time for words of reason. But a cool head is more important now than ever for those in positions steering the complex, increasingly twisted China-US relationship.

Talk of "decoupling" and mutual demonization appears to be cheap and easy in this time of well-hyped geopolitical rivalry. But at the end of the day, the consequences of that fanned up enmity will be felt by the two peoples.

Policymakers on both sides should therefore reflect on the state of affairs and do their best to try and mend fences. They must act fast lest the damage that is being done goes beyond repair.

As an increasing number of potential flashpoint issues, from COVID-19 to Taiwan to Hong Kong, are crying out for crisis management there is a need for the two sides to make efforts to mitigate the recent escalation of mutual distrust and defuse tensions.

Washington, in particular, should reflect on how the bilateral relations have deteriorated to such a state. It should avoid being hotheaded about China's rise as an economic power, which is in fact in the interest of its own economy and the well-being of the American people.

For as Washington's blame game continues poisoning bilateral ties, there is a rising probability of all potential areas of conflict acquiring additional prominence during and after the pandemic. The stage is being set for real major-power confrontation if the two sides cannot start seeing eye to eye on the need to take the antagonism out of their interactions.

Taiwan, for one, is an issue that calls for careful handling.

The island's current leader, Tsai Ing-wen, may prefer a stealthy, incremental yet steady approach to de facto "independence". Some of her Democratic Progressive Party colleagues, however, are clearly more willing to follow an aggressive path, especially as they perceive they have support in Washington. Emboldened by the China hawks there, Taiwan's pro-independence camp has been making incessant attempts to push the envelope, inviting stern warnings of "severe punishments" from across the Straits.

Taiwan is an integral part of China, and brooks no outsider intervention. The messages from Washington, however, show that it is not willing to accept that fact.

That is not in any party's interest.

It is to be hoped that the US will engage China with goodwill and sincerity, because there are enough problems for the two countries and the rest of the world to cope with in addressing the pandemic and its effects without having a new Cold War to deal with.