Part 5/9:
Despite this aggressive posture, recent developments suggest a possible moderation in Xi Jinping's public stance. Analysts observe that, as of this month, Xi appears to be softening his rhetoric and recalibrating his positions, especially in relation to the United States.
The motivation behind this shift is strategic. Xi seems acutely aware of the geopolitical landscape, particularly regarding the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. Trump's previous encounters with China, epitomized by his disrespectful treatment at Mar-a-Lago in 2017—when Trump publicly launched missiles on Syria, upsetting Xi—left a lasting impression. Trump’s confrontational style and unpredictability have been viewed as threats to China's interests, prompting Xi to avoid provoking similar tensions.