Additionally, China’s relations with the US have significantly deteriorated in the past five years. The trade war initiated by the Trump administration has led to tariffs and retaliatory measures that have impacted both economies. The tech war between the two countries has also intensified, with the US imposing sanctions on Chinese tech companies like Huawei and TikTok.

Furthermore, China’s human rights record has come under international scrutiny, particularly regarding its treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority in Xinjiang and its crackdown on pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong. These issues have strained China’s reputation and damaged its international standing.

Internally, Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power has resulted in a more centralized and authoritarian rule. The crackdown on corruption and dissent has been accompanied by a tightening of control over media and civil society, further limiting political freedoms in the country.

All these factors contribute to Xi Jinping’s more vulnerable negotiating position in his visit to San Francisco for the Apec summit. While he may still project confidence and resilience, the cracks in China’s economic growth model and the strain on its international relationships have made the country more susceptible to challenges and less able to achieve significant breakthroughs in negotiations.

The youth unemployment situation in China has worsened to such an extent that the government no longer discloses the data publicly. As a result, a sense of fatalistic ennui has gripped many young Chinese individuals, leading them to discuss concepts like “lying flat” or considering leaving the country in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping is facing complications within his carefully constructed power structure. The mysterious disappearances of key members from his leadership team and top military officials can be interpreted as either a result of extensive corruption or as political purges.