As US President Donald Trump holds talks with Ukraine’s President, China’s leaders see something very different: Opportunity. CNN’s Will Ripley reports.

Beijing

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

China is closely watching developments in the Ukraine conflict and the diplomatic actions of the United States and its allies. While Chinese officials publicly promote peace talks and maintain an objective stance, state-influenced commentary on social media and among researchers points to perceived weakening of Western alliances and opportunities for Beijing to increase its influence.

Observers note that China's leadership, particularly President Xi Jinping, may view the situation as a chance to shift the global balance of power. The situation has heightened concerns in Taiwan, where officials are focused on strengthening self-defense capabilities amid uncertainty about future U.S. policy and China's intentions. Chinese commentators have noted the warming relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting this could further erode Western unity.

China closely watching efforts to end the war in Ukraine

As U.S. President Donald Trump poses for talks with Ukraine's president, China's leaders see something very different, opportunity. Observers of Chinese leader Xi Jinping say what's at stake is nothing less than reshaping the world order, perhaps even tilt the balance of power toward Beijing. When it comes to Russia's war in Ukraine, China's official position remains objective and impartial, even promoting peace talks. But on China's tightly controlled social media, comments like these are meant to cast doubt on America's traditional alliances, and they're being allowed to go viral. Trump doesn't give a damn about Europe. Trump loves Putin so much, he did everything he could to become president just to protect him and keep him safe. A popular pro-Chinese government researcher predicts cracks in the Western alliance will continue to deepen, NATO's role will be weakened, the EU and Japan will continue to be marginalized, and Ukraine is destined to be the biggest loser. All of it rattling nerves here in Taiwan, a small island claimed but never controlled by China's communist leaders. I cannot predict what Trump is going to do. I do feel like we are like one of the items on the list that can be traded for Trump's, for his own good. I do worry that Taiwan's security will be traded away, he says, but I also believe there will be other ways for Taiwan to protect itself. Trump claims President Xi personally promised not to invade this island democracy, at least while Trump's in office. He told me, I will never do it as long as you're president. That's President Xi told me that. And I said, well, I appreciate that. But he also said, but I am very patient. And China is very patient. Taiwan's government says it's continuously committed to improving its self-defense capabilities, recently holding its largest ever military drills, putting billions in U.S. supplied weapons on full display. Chinese commentators certainly took note when Trump cozied up to Russian strongman Vladimir Putin in Alaska, saying NATO's role is shrinking and the West is fracturing, something Xi Jinping may have predicted even before Trump's re-election. We dug up this Russian state media footage from the Kremlin more than two years ago. Xi is on camera telling Putin, change is coming that hasn't happened in 100 years, and we're driving this change together. The world is bracing for what comes next. Observers say Beijing is definitely watching for an opening here. Trump's warm approach to Putin could weaken unity between the U.S. and Europe, some fear. And that is something that China would welcome. It could give Xi Jinping more room to maneuver here in Taiwan. Beijing has vowed to take this island democracy by force, if necessary.

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China closely watching efforts to end the war in Ukraine

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Ukraine Invasion