The thought of full-blown war with China has become mainstream in the aftermath of Russia’s Ukraine invasion. A potent mix of simmering animosity and economic concerns have created a heated climate that both sides need to take a step back from before the U.S. or China falls victim to the intoxicating pull of escalation.

Mimicking the American-style approach of guarding against imaginary enemies, Japan’s recently released documents will have a significant impact on relations with China and other countries. Its effort to achieve strategic autonomy is a tall order, as the U.S. doesn’t want too much of that.

It is clear that China has little chance of changing Russia’s hard-line position in its war with Ukraine. Nor can it solve the “Russia problem” in the West. It can only act as it sees fit to safeguard the interests of the Chinese people.

War would be a disaster for all. And as Washington policymakers seem to be moving further in that direction, China and the U.S. must contemplate the consequences of military conflict and remember that it would not be their leaders who pay the price, but their people.

Will the Asia-Pacific chart a course forward? Or will it return to the status quo of the Cold War? Mentality matters, and the old thinking inevitably leads to misjudgments. The U.S. sees China through the same prism it once saw the Soviet Union but neglects the fundamental differences of two hugely different ages.

We need to learn how to respect differences and live harmoniously, because not all people or cultures are alike. It’s not healthy for the new Indo-Pacific concept — which works against open regionalism — to replace the traditional notion of the Asia-Pacific.

The region has maintained overall security and stability for more than 40 years, largely because of the strategic rationality and sobriety of governments in the neighborhood. Major powers that want to interfere should take note.

Once a spirited rivalry between the U.S. and Soviet Union, space exploration is now a two-way race between the U.S. and China. But initiatives like China’s Shenzhou program and the U.S.’ SpaceX, among other private industry programs, are challenging the duopoly that bureaucrats in Washington and Moscow once had on all space exploration.

As the United States attempts to merge Europe and Asia into a systemic whole for the purpose of dealing with China and Russia, much more concerted activity can be expected.

The KMT’s victories in November, while largely centered on local issues, can work to the benefit cross-Strait ties. Taiwan needs more political leaders with a greater sense of responsibility for the nation, a sense of historic mission and courage for change.