The world number three will become the fourth player to qualify for the finals in Singapore if she can clinch victory in the WTA Premier hard-court final on Saturday.
The Wimbledon champion gained revenge for an earlier defeat to Svitolina in Cincinnati in August, thumping down seven aces to her opponent's one in a comfortable victory.
Kvitova will now take on Eugenie Bouchard in a repeat of the final at the All England Club and the Czech is enjoying her experience at the inaugural event in China.
"It's not often that I go somewhere I don't know, and I didn't really know what I should expect coming here, but I'm really surprised how nice it is," she said
"Everything is great. The courts here are just beautiful, and the hotel is really nice too. Everything is also really well organised.
"And so many people come to support us. It's beautiful to see them here.
"From the beginning my season was really tough. If somebody told me at the Australian Open that I would win Wimbledon and still be fighting for Singapore, I'm not sure I would have believed them.
"But I've had a great second part of the season. It all started a little bit at the French Open, and from there I just kept improving.
"I think early on I was expecting too much of myself, and it was really difficult to take the loss in my first round in Australia, but I kept working hard and now I'm here."
Bouchard, meanwhile, overcame Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 6-3 to earn a spot in her third WTA Tour final.
The Canadian romped into a 4-1 lead in the opening set and, although Wozniacki clawed one break back, Bouchard was able to hold her off and take the lead.
After a tight opening to the second set, Bouchard took control with breaks in games seven and nine to set up a clash with Kvitova.