There is growing global speculation that the possibility is rising for a US war with China with the focus on Taiwan.
Whether it is Taiwan or a clash elsewhere, for example in the Miyako Strait or the South China Sea, the question arises whether such a kinetic conflict would be limited, or would end up in a general war.
The Great Powers — namely the US, Russia (before USSR) and China — have generally tried to avoid direct conflict with each other.
In the Korean War, for example, the Yalu River was the US no-go line to avoid a head-on fight with China.