Proposal for new type of power relations still a win-win proposition

Right after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wrapped up his visit to China on Sunday, the Washington Post declared that Tillerson appeared to hand Beijing a diplomatic victory.

The Post article went on to scold the top US diplomat after he described the US-China relations as "a very positive relationship built on no confrontation, no conflict, mutual respect, and always searching for win-win solutions".

Tillerson's words came as a surprise, to the delight of many in Beijing but the dismay of some in Washington. The proposal made by China in 2012 to build a new type of major country relationship between China and the US based on "no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation" was aimed at avoiding a disastrous war if the established power became too fearful of the rising power.