Not so long ago, Australia was known for its booming economy and balanced foreign policy. Today its economy is stagnating, while the U.S. Big Defense casts a dark shadow over its foreign policy - as evidenced by nuclear escalation.

Peaceful development and capacity building are the two cornerstones of China’s philosophy, and the panda movie provides an apt analogy. Under the rules of the jungle, the panda, which is docile by nature and non-aggressive, wants to live in harmony with other animals.

Positive trade mechanisms have emerged. China remains committed to developing its relationship with the U.S. The recent tension over Taiwan was controlled. Such things and others are a basis for optimism, not despair.

Foreigners have hyped the possibility that Beijing will resort to reunification by force. This creates a dilemma: China must either accept the prospect of secession or the destructive consequences of force. Escaping this trap will require joint efforts by Chinese people on both sides of the strait.

China’s capacity to help end the conflict in Ukraine has been left in the realm of speculation due to the nation’s official stance of neutrality toward the situation. If China were to step up efforts to actively broker a resolution, these are the following steps they may take.

Russia’s war in Ukraine is the most disruptive conflict that Europe has seen since 1945. While many in the West see a war of choice by Russian President Vladimir Putin, he says that NATO’s 2008 decision in favor of eventual Ukrainian membership brought an existential threat to Russia’s borders, and still others trace the conflict back to the Cold War’s end and the failure of the West to support Russia adequately after the collapse of the Soviet Union. How can we discern the origins of a war that may last for years?

The war in Ukraine, whether short or long-term, doesn’t serve China’s national interests. While China and Russia are strategic partners, so are China and Ukraine, which agreed in 2013 to preserve national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Thus, for China, the only path forward is peace.

The U.S.-Iran rivalry has sunk to new depths after the death in custody of a young woman who was arrested by the Iranian morality police for improperly wearing a head covering. Iran’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict has made matters even worse.

Taiwan and Ukraine have drawn many comparisons this year due to the perceived similarities in their precarious security situations. In the wake of the crisis in Ukraine, countries are watching situations like the one in the Taiwan Strait closely.

With the possible passage of the Taiwan Policy Act of 2002, the United States is showing that, notwithstanding lip service, it is moving in a direction of open support for the island. China must prepare for the worst-case scenario.