In today’s Restricted Handling Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into the biggest power play of the week as China turns the Pacific into its personal parade ground. From Beijing’s largest-ever naval deployment to a French presidential charm offensive that landed with more pandas than progress, this episode breaks down how Xi Jinping is flexing on every front — militarily, diplomatically, and technologically — all while tightening the screws at home. 

We start at sea, where over 100 Chinese warships are on the move across the Yellow, East, and South China Seas in the most aggressive maritime mobilization yet. We’re talking mock attacks, access-denial drills, and simulated strikes on foreign ships passing through the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s sounding the alarm, Japan’s deploying missiles, and Washington’s… choosing not to pick a fight — at least for now. Yeah, you read that right. 

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron jets into Beijing trying to talk peace on Ukraine but leaves with handshakes, promises, and maybe a new panda or two. Xi smiles, nods, and keeps the war machine humming while pitching “independence” to Europe — code for “ditch the Americans.” It’s soft power meets stonewalling, and we break down what it really means. 

On the cyber front, the U.S. quietly shelved plans to sanction China’s Ministry of State Security over a massive hacking campaign just to preserve a fragile trade truce. That deal’s keeping rare earth exports flowing and tariffs off the table — but at what cost? The White House blinked, and Beijing’s already cashing in. 

Back in China, the regime’s dealing with viral ghosts from its past. A leaked Tiananmen-era video of a general refusing to open fire has triggered a nationwide purge of military dissent. Xi’s response? New PLA loyalty laws that make hesitation a crime and family guilt a policy. Throw in collapsing defense revenues, a corruption scandal reaching Party watchdogs themselves, and the debut of a “dirt cheap” Mach 7 hypersonic missile — and you’ve got a regime that’s cracking down at home while showing off abroad. 

From the South China Sea to the halls of Paris, from secret bases in Myanmar to factories churning out bargain-bin hypersonics, China’s playing a global game with no off switch. We’re unpacking the power moves, the panic, and the propaganda — all in one high-tempo episode. 

Tune in, lock in, and get briefed. This is RH 12.4.25 | China Flexes Hard.