China-U.S. ties post-summit: Old wine or new vintage?

Editor's note: On November 15, the heads of state of China and the U.S. held their first meeting this year. With numerous agreements reached during the summit, where will bilateral ties head to? At the time when the stabilization of Sino-U.S. relations coincides with the "new Cold War" controversy , Zhou Bo, retired senior Colonel of China People's Liberation Army, accepted CGTN's interview, sharing his thoughts on this topic. The views expressed in the video are his own and not necessarily those of CGTN.

CGTN: Is the resumed military-to-military communication between China and the U.S. just old wine in a new bottle or new wine in a new bottle?

Zhou Bo: I think the answer is yes and no because apparently, we have seen something new that is the announcement of establishing dialogues and talks between regional commands.

This kind of direct talk at the regional command level would be most efficient, because if there is a crisis, the decision making of the top level is most important, but it is the aircrews and sailors at the forefront that would have to deal with this kind of situation first, so that is why this kind of direct talk at the shortest distance would be the most important.

CGTN: Do you think we have entered into a "new Cold War"?

Zhou Bo: My answer is very simple. You only know whether you have gone through a "new Cold War," if you have actually avoided a hot war. This is exactly what happened during the Cold War (between the U.S. and then-USSR), during which everybody actually was prepared for the hot war on a daily basis.

This kind of life was characterized by mutually assured destruction (MAD), so people were preparing for hot war every day, but it did not happen, thanks to joint efforts from both sides. Eventually, they could sigh with relief: Okay, what we have gone through is but a Cold War.

Therefore, when we talk about whether we have entered a 'new Cold War' or not, we don't know yet, because we don't know whether we would really have hot wars or conflicts in front of us, unless and until our efforts pay and we have successfully managed to avoid these conflicts or wars. Then we can say probably we have avoided a "new Cold War."

CGTN: Could China and the U.S. cooperate on Middle East issues?

Zhou Bo: I absolutely believe we can actually work there. Why? Because in the Middle East, I believe China and the United States do not have conflicting interests.

China and the United States could actually have cooperation over there, because we at least have two main common subjects to talk about, such as the two-state solution. China supports this idea, and the United States also supports this idea.

This conflict tells you that for us to avoid this kind of conflict, you just need common sense. It's not something sophisticated. What is the common sense? The common sense is that Palestinians deserve to have their own homeland.

It's just like in a marriage, somebody doesn't feel it's possible anymore to live with his wife or husband, then she or he would ask for a divorce. And that is the way out, so people can start a new life.

Then in this case, I believe this is a return to common sense. The Palestinian needs to have their own home.

Then another issue that is the Iranian nuclear issue. It is the common wish of China and the United States to see Iran not becoming a nuclear power. It is also in the interest of Iran, I believe, not to become a nuclear power.

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