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BEIJING, July 10-- China-U.S. ties, one of the world's most important bilateral relationships, are faced with severe challenges, which came at an ill-timed moment in a world battered by a ferocious pandemic and its economic fallout. Recognizing the severity, former diplomats and officials, scholars and commentators from the two countries and beyond held a discussion via video link on Thursday to exchange views on how to steer China-U.S. relations back onto the right track of sustainable and healthy development. NEW COLD WAR? The China-U.S. relationship is faced with the most severe challenge since bilateral diplomatic ties were forged 41 years ago, according to experts at the think tanks and media forum, who cited tensions in such areas as trade and technology. Meanwhile, participants including former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, former Chinese Minister of the State Council Information Office Zhao Qizheng, and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who witnessed and contributed to the development of China-U.S. relations, disputed thoughts that the two countries are doomed to decouple or to be locked in a new Cold War. The opinion that the China-U.S. relationship is unable to return to its previous level should not mean the two countries would have to start all over again regardless of history, and worse, impractical decoupling, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said when addressing the forum. | 
