Visiting Washington last week, it was striking how common talk of war between the US and China has become. That discussion has been fed by loose-lipped statements from American generals musing about potential dates for the opening of hostilities.

Those comments, while unwise, did not spring from nowhere. They are a reflection of the broader discussion on China taking place in Washington – inside and outside government. Many influential people seem to think a US-China war is not only possible but probable.

Financial Times