The Truth with Lisa Boothe: China’s Show of Force — Gordon Chang on Beijing’s Military Parade, Axis with Russia & North Korea, and Why America Must Wake Up
Date: September 4, 2025
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show / The Truth with Lisa Boothe
Guest: Gordon Chang (Expert on US-China Relations)
Host: Lisa Boothe
Episode Overview
In this episode, Lisa Boothe dives deep into recent global security tensions in light of Beijing's grand 80th-anniversary military parade, which prominently featured leaders from China, Russia, and North Korea. Gordon Chang, a renowned China expert, joins to analyze the parade’s messaging, the realities behind China’s military posturing, the strategic axis forming among China, Russia, and North Korea, and what it all means for America. The conversation also explores instability within the Chinese military, US foreign policy responses (particularly by the Trump administration), and the evolving dynamics on the Korean peninsula.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Significance of Beijing’s Military Parade
- Chinese Audience Comes First:
- Chang argues that the parade was largely aimed at the Chinese population—to demonstrate the Communist Party’s power and legitimacy.
- “The most important audience for him was not us, it was the Chinese people because he wants to show them the Communist Party is capable.” (Gordon Chang, 04:30)
- Chang argues that the parade was largely aimed at the Chinese population—to demonstrate the Communist Party’s power and legitimacy.
- Global Intimidation & Information Warfare:
- The secondary purpose was international intimidation, projecting China as dominant and the US as ‘finished.’
- “Xi Jinping wanted to intimidate the world ... promoting the narrative that China is, is the dominant power and that the United States is finished.” (Gordon Chang, 04:30)
- The secondary purpose was international intimidation, projecting China as dominant and the US as ‘finished.’
- Historical Parallels:
- Chang references Sun Tzu’s idea of “appearing strong” even when concealing weaknesses, noting the event was overcompensating for internal troubles.
2. Behind the Facade: Chinese Military Instability
- Internal Infighting and Purges:
- Significant instability at the top ranks, with mysterious disappearances and executions of flag officers, signal Xi Jinping’s loss of control.
- “For the last two years, we have seen the disappearances of scores of flag officers... signs that Xi Jinping has lost control of the Chinese military.” (Gordon Chang, 06:03)
- Significant instability at the top ranks, with mysterious disappearances and executions of flag officers, signal Xi Jinping’s loss of control.
- Structural Issues:
- The two reporting lines—military and political—with greater emphasis on political loyalty are described as undermining war-fighting effectiveness.
- “That’s no way to run a war.” (Gordon Chang, 06:03)
- The two reporting lines—military and political—with greater emphasis on political loyalty are described as undermining war-fighting effectiveness.
- Historical Case:
- June 2020’s Galwan Valley clash with India is cited as evidence of failed Chinese military leadership.
3. Xi Jinping’s Leadership & Analogies to Mao
- Alienation Through Power Grabs:
- Xi’s consolidations of power and officer purges have generated resentment; PLA Daily’s articles on "collective leadership" are a veiled rebuke of Xi’s style.
- Fears of Maoist-Style Disasters:
- Comparisons drawn to the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, with concerns about similar disasters under Xi’s command.
- “People have compared Xi to Mao Zedong ... and worrying about disasters that might befall China because of this Mao-type leadership.” (Gordon Chang, 08:00)
- Comparisons drawn to the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, with concerns about similar disasters under Xi’s command.
4. American Responses: Should Disunity Be Exploited?
- Limited US Awareness:
- Suggests the Trump administration is aware of China’s internal fragility but tends to favor engagement—a pattern that he sees as historically flawed.
- “We have to understand that the Communist Party inherently hates the United States ... I don't think we will ever have amicable relations with China as long as it's ruled by the Communist Party.” (Gordon Chang, 10:05)
- Suggests the Trump administration is aware of China’s internal fragility but tends to favor engagement—a pattern that he sees as historically flawed.
- Democracies’ Dilemma:
- Democracies, by nature, are slow to react to threats unless directly attacked (“only when our enemies kill a lot of us do we ... protect ourselves”). (Gordon Chang, 15:33)
5. Rhetoric vs. Action: Trump’s Approach to Adversaries
- Mixed Messaging:
- While President Trump might offer diplomatic niceties or olive branches, his policies (sanctions, warnings) can be tougher than they appear.
- Underestimating China:
- Chang believes Trump thinks he can “manage” China—a potentially risky outlook compared to Reagan’s approach to the Soviet Union.
- “Trump understands that China is dangerous. But I believe that the president thinks that he can manage China, and I don't think he sees China in the same terms as Reagan saw the Soviet Union.” (Gordon Chang, 17:25)
- Chang believes Trump thinks he can “manage” China—a potentially risky outlook compared to Reagan’s approach to the Soviet Union.
6. Real Threat Level: The “Axis” of China, Russia & North Korea
- Collectively Weak, But Unpredictable:
- Chang argues each state is internally weak and facing major issues:
- Russia: Stretched by Ukraine war, facing future instability.
- China: Economic problems, simultaneous crises, political gridlock.
- North Korea: Isolated but comparatively more stable within its own terms.
- “These are three weak states, and they've all got different problems.” (Gordon Chang, 20:17)
- Chang argues each state is internally weak and facing major issues:
- Parade Weaponry: Hype vs. Reality:
- China’s display of hypersonic missiles, drones, and new ballistic missiles presents a serious potential threat—especially given uncertainties about deployment and US countermeasures.
- “Their hypersonic cruise missiles ... we may not have a defense for them, which means we may not have much of a navy.” (Gordon Chang, 21:51)
- Drones signal a shift in warfare, learned from observing Ukraine.
- China’s display of hypersonic missiles, drones, and new ballistic missiles presents a serious potential threat—especially given uncertainties about deployment and US countermeasures.
7. Korean Peninsula & South Korea’s Political Shift
- US-South Korea Relations on Edge:
- South Korea’s new president, Lee Jimmy, described as leftist or possibly even communist, is viewed as distinctly anti-US—a shift that worries Washington.
- “If he could do what he wanted to do, he would break the treaty with us and he would turn it into a leftist totalitarian state within a month.” (Gordon Chang, 24:15)
- South Korea’s new president, Lee Jimmy, described as leftist or possibly even communist, is viewed as distinctly anti-US—a shift that worries Washington.
- Trump’s Strategy:
- Advocates for binding South Korea through trade and investment agreements to prevent a rupture.
- Political Repression:
- Highlights the jailing and harsh treatment of the previous South Korean president as evidence of “monstrous” tactics by leftist leadership.
8. Trade, Tariffs, and US Leverage
- Current Trade Pause:
- There’s a 90-day pause on enhanced US tariffs on China, expiring soon. Chang foresees China stalling rather than yielding in negotiations.
- Tariff Inequities & India’s Frustration:
- Notes US imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, while letting China slide despite bigger purchases—a double standard that strains alliances.
- “This is one of the reasons why the Chinese think that they own President Trump because they're saying that we are afraid of imposing that 25% tariff on China because China is so magnificent and we're so weak.” (Gordon Chang, 28:10)
- Notes US imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, while letting China slide despite bigger purchases—a double standard that strains alliances.
- Call for Tougher Measures:
- Urges the US to match tariffs it used on India for China as well, arguing current leniency emboldens Chinese aggression.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Chinese Military Propaganda:
- “One of [Sun Tzu’s] more famous comments is ... when we appear strong. And that’s what we have been seeing, especially over the last three or four weeks.” (Gordon Chang, 04:30)
- On Military Infighting:
- “With all of this infighting, with these generals disappearing each other, I think that they’re much more concerned about the guy in the next store than they are about the United States or the Philippines or Taiwan, whatever.” (Gordon Chang, 06:03)
- “Reminds me of that other great strategist, Mike Tyson—‘everybody has a plan until they're punched in the face.’” (Gordon Chang, 06:03)
- On US-China Relations:
- “We have to understand that the Communist Party inherently hates the United States ... as much or even a greater threat than the Soviet Communist Party was.” (Gordon Chang, 10:05)
- “Only when our enemies kill a lot of us do we ... start to become determined to protect ourselves.” (Gordon Chang, 15:33)
- On the Axis’ Weakness:
- “These are three weak states, and they've all got different problems.” (Gordon Chang, 20:17)
- On Tariff Policy:
- “President Trump needs to impose that 25% tariff on China because if he doesn’t, the Chinese are going to be more bold and they’re going to be more aggressive, and life is going to become more difficult for us.” (Gordon Chang, 28:10)
Important Timestamps
- [03:13] Introduction & Episode Context
- [04:30] Gordon Chang on the Purpose of the Parade
- [06:03] Chinese Military Infighting and Weakness
- [08:00] Xi Jinping’s Power Grabs and Comparison to Mao
- [10:05] Should the US Exploit Chinese Disunity?
- [15:33] Are Americans Underestimating the Threat?
- [17:25] Trump’s Worldview and Historical Analogies
- [20:17] Weaknesses of China, Russia, and North Korea
- [21:51] Technological Threats: Missiles and Drones
- [24:15] South Korea’s New President and US Policy
- [27:09] Political Repression in South Korea
- [28:10] Tariffs, Trade Strategy, and Global Leverage
- [30:13] Concluding Reflections on Leadership Styles
- [30:48] Closing Thanks
Summary Takeaway
Gordon Chang warns that beneath China’s display of military strength lies significant internal discord, with Xi Jinping’s power grabs fueling instability in the armed forces and the broader party. The new axis with Russia and North Korea is formidable more in potential than substance; all three countries are wrestling with major vulnerabilities. Still, he urges the US—and its leaders—not to underestimate the long-term threat posed by a belligerent China and to adopt stronger, clearer measures, particularly on trade policy and diplomatic leverage, or risk being outmaneuvered at a critical juncture in global affairs.