Over a century ago, World War I showed the world how crowded alliances and geopolitical tension could ignite into all-out war. Now in the 21st Century, posturing on both sides of the Pacific mirror the mistakes made by yesterday’s empires.

World conditions are not conducive to another cold war, and there’s little reason to expect one. Maybe all the talk is just U.S. rhetoric to frighten others into joining an anti-China bloc.

With China, Russia and the U.S. all developing major space programs, trilateral accords and communication will be key to avoiding misunderstandings – or war – between nations.

The important waterway could be the first tile to fall in a Sino-U.S. conflict. In openly ramping up an interventionist policy and increasing its pressure on China, the United States is increasing the risk of a military confrontation.

China must study the possibilities to prevent the rebirth of the sort of chilly long-term isolation experienced by the United States and Soviet Union in the past. Above all, it should reject unhelpful ideological comparisons.

Only mechanisms that support dialogue in the face of potential confrontation will do the job. If a military conflict occurs, no matter how limited, the door to a protracted cold war will be thrown open.

Since the 1970s, the US has tread a fine line of pursuing neutrality on claims to the South China Sea. The Trump administration, however, looks set to upend that policy.

In a word, no. China has never recognized the arbitration under the UNCLOS treaty as valid. Meanwhile, the United States continues to poison relations by opposing everything China does.

Cooperating over North Korea is essential for both China and the U.S. – not just for the good of the DPRK, but for the Sino-American relationship at large.

The United States is increasing pressure on China in the South China Sea, by sending two of its largest ships into the area. Beijing has no alternative but to respond in kind.