The exchanges between the Chinese and US leaders on Thursday and Friday have provided much-needed strategic guidance for the future of China-US relations.

The two sides agreed to build a "constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability". The "constructive strategic stability" means positive stability with cooperation as the mainstay, healthy stability with competition within proper limits, constant stability with manageable differences and lasting stability with expectable peace.

The new vision for relations between the world's two largest economies indicates that both sides recognize the need to prevent confrontation and manage differences prudently. The Taiwan question remains the most important one among all the issues affecting bilateral ties. If it is handled properly, the Sino-US relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, China and the United States will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.

Yet certain forces in Washington continue to treat the Taiwan question as a "card" they can play to maximize US gains while claiming they value peace and stability in the region. Moves such as arms sales, political collusion and military signaling send the wrong message to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces on the Chinese island. "Taiwan independence" and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water. The more external forces embolden separatist elements, the greater the risks to regional stability.

The recent remarks made by the secessionist-minded leader of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, via virtual link, at a so-called "democracy summit" in Copenhagen, once again exposed the separatist nature of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities. By attempting to portray his authorities as fighting for the "values" of the West, Lai sought external support for his separatist agenda while deliberately provoking cross-Strait tensions.

The timing of Lai's remarks was particularly telling. They were delivered shortly before the US president's visit to Beijing.

However, US President Donald Trump, in an interview with Fox News aired on Friday, warned the Taiwan authorities against pursuing "independence" under the illusion of unconditional US backing.

"They have somebody there now that wants to go independent," he said. "They want to get into a war" because "they figure they have the US behind them".

Trump poured cold water on that, saying he is not looking to fight a war thousands of miles away.

Yet the US leader also described Taiwan in the interview as "a very good negotiating chip" in dealing with Beijing — a remark that reflects a transactional and exploitative approach to the Taiwan question.

For China-US relations to achieve steady, sound and sustainable development, the stumbling block of "Taiwan independence" must be decisively removed. The US should recognize the true nature of "Taiwan independence" forces — as alterers of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, disruptors of cross-Strait peace, and troublemakers in regional affairs.

Policymakers in Washington need to realize that the historical trend of the national reunification of China is irresistible. They should demonstrate genuine respect for China's core interests and major concerns. Beijing has made it clear that the Taiwan question is a red line in China-US ties that cannot be crossed.

The outcomes achieved during the latest China-US economic and trade consultations, held in the Republic of Korea on Wednesday, demonstrate once again that despite differences and competition, China and the US still share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation.

No one should underestimate the complexity of managing China-US relations. Competition will continue to exist. Differences will not disappear overnight. But what matters most is whether both sides can manage these differences rationally, avoid strategic miscalculation and uphold the broader interests of peace and development.

China and the US have more common interests than differences. The US has much to gain from a healthy Sino-US relationship and much to lose from playing unilateral tricks, zero-sum games or the "Taiwan card".

Only when both sides address each other's core concerns, and especially when the US handles the Taiwan question with due prudence, can they jointly turn the agreed vision for bilateral ties into reality.