Welcome back to The Restricted Handling Podcast! This episode dives straight into the most important moves coming out of China this week—geopolitics, military shows of force, high-stakes tech battles, and a global economic pivot that’s reshaping alliances.

First up, Beijing isn’t just talking the talk—it’s strutting it. Xi Jinping launched the Global Governance Initiative at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, pitching it as a shiny new alternative to U.S. global leadership. With Putin, Lukashenko, Sharif, and Maduro cheering him on, this wasn’t just about diplomacy—it was a show of bloc power. And as if that wasn’t enough, Xi rolled straight into an over-the-top military parade with Putin and Kim Jong Un at his side, showcasing nuclear missiles, submarine drones, and even a directed-energy weapon.

Then we hit the undersea race. China’s submarine fleet is growing quieter, deadlier, and bigger by the month. The Type 095 is on the way, conventional Yuan-class boats are more capable than ever, and underwater drones are joining the fight. Meanwhile, the U.S. still has better subs but can’t build enough of them, thanks to shipyard bottlenecks and maintenance backlogs. The Pacific’s turning into the ultimate underwater chessboard.

Back in Taiwan, it’s a grind. Coast Guard incursions near Kinmen, oil platforms popping up in contested waters, and 300+ PLA flights into Taiwan’s ADIZ every month. Taipei is pushing back with new drone programs, U.S. defense innovation partnerships, and plans for joint production. Across the water, Japan is dropping a record-shattering defense budget request and the U.S. Army is deploying the Typhon missile system to Japan for the first time. Beijing and Moscow are not amused.

On the trade and tech front, the FCC is moving against Chinese labs, Congress is gunning for a DJI ban, and U.S. industries that rely on cheap, reliable drones are bracing for impact. Meanwhile, China is pivoting its exports to Africa—solar panels, EVs, batteries, steel, machinery—and racking up a $60 billion surplus in 2025 alone. African imports of Chinese solar tech are booming as prices collapse.

And just to round things out: North Korea plays wingman in Beijing, Russia sneaks in sanctioned LNG, China faces its hottest summer on record, and Beijing is hyping humanoid robots to care for its rapidly aging population.

This episode covers it all—China’s nukes, subs, drones, and Africa deals—with the sharp edge and fun energy.