Political scientist Ihor Reiterovych, in a new episode on the "Kloсhok Time" channel, discusses the intense preparation for the upcoming meeting between Chinese and US leaders, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, scheduled for next Thursday. While the Chinese authorities have not yet officially confirmed the event, Washington has already announced its intention to hold talks on bilateral cooperation.
Reiterovych emphasizes that the American side is openly preparing for the meeting, with Trump actively commenting on his intentions and related developments. In contrast, China remains largely closed due to strict information control. Nonetheless, a significant political development occurred — the full text of the Fourth Plenum communiqué of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee was released, confirming Xi Jinping’s leadership and the approval of proposals for the next five-year plan. At the same time, the exclusion of several generals and officials signals a continued purge of the political elite and the consolidation of power by Xi.
According to Reiterovych, this enables Xi Jinping to attend the meeting with internal support and a sense of calm at home. The main message in Chinese media is unity around the leader and a commitment to modernization by 2035.
During the meeting, Trump intends to raise the issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine, hoping China will influence Moscow. He has also mentioned political dialogue on Taiwan and is open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un if necessary. Both sides are strengthening their domestic positions ahead of the meeting to maximize their leverage in negotiations.
Analysts agree that the US and China have substantial mutual influence and will be forced to seek compromise. The Russia–Ukraine war remains a crucial factor: the US may pressure China concerning sanctions against Russia, while China aims to solidify its hold over Russia’s resources.
Taiwan’s status and the fluctuating political dynamics are also highlighted. Signals from both the US and China suggest a temporary easing of tensions in the Taiwan issue for the sake of broader strategic agreements.
Reiterovych concludes that in the coming weeks, the focus will be on US–China contacts, and the resulting agreements may have significant implications for ending the war in Ukraine and shaping the global balance of power.
