RH 2.19.26 | China: Taiwan Arms, Nuclear Test Claims, PLA Purge, Trade Blitz, Cyber Breach

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast  https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down a packed 24 hours in China that touches everything from Taiwan and nuclear testing to trade wars, military purges, and cyber espionage. If you care about US China relations, Taiwan security, nuclear arms control, or the future of global trade, this one is for you.  We start with the big diplomatic chessboard. A new US arms package for Taiwan is reportedly in limbo ahead of President Trump's planned April trip to Beijing. The proposed sale, which could include Patriot missile interceptors, comes on the heels of an $11.1 billion package approved in December. Trump has publicly acknowledged discussing Taiwan arms sales directly with Xi Jinping. That alone is a significant development in the context of US Taiwan policy. Timing now matters just as much as content.  From there we shift to nuclear tensions. US officials have provided additional details about a suspected Chinese nuclear explosive test conducted near Lop Nur in June 2020. A magnitude 2.75 seismic event was detected and described by US officials as consistent with a supercritical nuclear explosion, potentially using decoupling techniques to reduce detectability. China denies the allegation. The context is critical. New START expired on February 5, and the global arms control architecture is under strain. The conversation around nuclear testing is no longer theoretical.  Inside China, the People's Liberation Army is still dealing with major leadership turmoil. Senior generals, including Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, are under investigation. Since 2023, dozens of top officers have been removed. The purges come as the PLA continues to modernize and increase pressure around Taiwan. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported six PLA Navy vessels operating around the island in the past 24 hours. No dramatic escalation, but the pressure campaign continues.  On the economic front, China is pushing aggressively into new trade agreements as it navigates US tariffs and export controls. Beijing is accelerating negotiations across Europe, Africa, and Asia while also facing warnings from the IMF that it must pivot toward consumption driven growth. Solar production continues to surge, with China now surpassing 1,000 gigawatts of installed capacity, even as oversupply pressures build.  We also cover a major cyber espionage story involving a critical Dell vulnerability exploited for over a year by a suspected China linked group. Root level access, stealth persistence, and enterprise infiltration are all part of the picture.  If you want a clear, energetic breakdown of US China strategy, Taiwan security, nuclear risks, PLA developments, trade policy, and cyber threats all in one place, this episode delivers.  👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast  https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.