Trish Regan vs. China

With tensions between China and the United States running high, the fight between the two global powers has shifted — at least for now — from dry back-room trade negotiations to a buzzier, more high-profile arena: American prime-time television.

On one side is Trish Regan, an American television host from the Fox Business Network. On the other is Liu Xin, the Chinese host of an English-language program on China Global Television Network, an international arm of China’s propaganda machine.

After days of sparring on Twitter, the hosts, whose two television networks are most favored by their respective national leaders, will face off in a live debate about trade and technology on Wednesday night in the United States (Thursday morning in China).

The debate is unlikely to be seen live by the public in China, where international television channels are largely limited to five-star hotels that cater to foreigners. Still, many Chinese are excited about the showdown, with some academics mobilizing to support Ms. Liu by offering her talking points via social media.