In the midst of what Beijing described as "the lowest point" of China-US relations, the June visit of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to China provided some intriguing insights. It's rewarding to dissect the rhetoric employed during his visit. The choice of words, as banal as it may seem, can indeed lay bare the nuanced diplomacy at play.

Three key phrases from Blinken's public addresses during the visit struck me as particularly noteworthy:

1. "Manage the relationship responsibly": Blinken used this phrase eight times during his press interactions before leaving China– including six times in conjunction with the word "responsibly". The repetitive employment of such a neutral term shows an evident consensus between the two sides. This notion implies a preference towards predictability, taking a more proactive approach in handling the relationship, and establishing a framework for practical action plans for future situations.
2. "De-risk": An intriguing choice of words, technically not a US invention but credited to Von Der Leyen of the EU Commission back in March. The term also made headlines at the Hiroshima G7 gathering last month. Despite its wide usage, "de-risking" remains a rather ambiguous term, open to interpretation. The Collins dictionary defines it as "to remove risk," while the Cambridge dictionary considers it as "reducing the possibility" of something unfavorable occurring. Such ambivalence gives rise to different policy implications – in theory ranging from a conciliatory approach to more assertive tactics. This might explain the strategic ambiguity surrounding China policy, which is not particularly desirable in the current climate of uncertainties.
3. "Consequential": Blinken used this term several times, both in his conversations with the press and in his Twitter posts. Again, it's a neutral word, subtly underscoring the magnitude and importance of the Sino-US relationship. It indicates that China, due to its global stature, cannot be overlooked, and the stakes in this relationship are simply too high - whether the outcomes are perceived as 'positive' or 'negative'.

As a slight ray of optimism in these tense times, there's a palpable sense of recognition from both parties regarding the importance of moderation. There seems to be an effort to cool down the fiery rhetoric, to act preemptively, and to prevent the relationship from spiralling out of control or free fall. It is not yet clear whether these efforts will succeed, but the conscious change in tone is a step towards a more pragmatic and responsible approach to managing the future of Sino-US relations.