This is John Batchel, a conversation with colleague Victoria Herkseg of geopolitical futures.

She's in Budapest, commenting on the rumors on social media, the talk on social media, the talk

everywhere about a successor to Xi Jinping, when and if he steps aside. There's more to it than

that, but here, Victoria explains how

it's okay to talk about this part of the future, but not that part of the future.

People are careful, says Victoria. Here, listen to how she characterizes social media and speculation

about what's next for the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.

Much more of this later tonight.

Yes, there are certain people mentioned as good potential successors to G.

But yeah, in social media it's discussed, like who is going to come after him.

But that's something that can be discussed to a certain extent because his current term is going to end and he's likely to retire following his current term.

So that is being discussed.

It's not any other way he would go is not really mentioned.

Again, people are careful.

All right.