have independent commanders on the chinese side potentially doing something that might be dangerous and might lead to an escalation. the united states certainly won't allow that to happen. so let's have this new dance, let's establish this as the norm. >> what's at stake for this relationship, for both sides to get this right? at this point, to avoid conflict and find a way where both sides can back off without firing off their weapons? how much is at stake here? >> i think a lot is at stake. the united states has always tried to establish a relationship with the chinese in a meaningful, fulsome way, using diplomatic, infrastructural, military, and financial, powers to interact in a deep, meaningful way so you can become a partner in the region. we have never really done that. we can pick and choose our areas to engage and i think we have done that. this is simply another one of those. how this eventually turns out i