What China’s Judo and Football Scandals Say About War, Pressure and Taiwan

Oct 08, 2026 - 10:00

China has built more missiles, ships, aircraft and military infrastructure than ever before. But if Beijing ever goes to war over Taiwan, hardware will not be the only thing that matters.
Two recent Chinese sports scandals reveal two very different mindsets: one athlete pushed so hard to win that she crossed the line, while China’s national football team was accused by its own fans of apathy, privilege and a lack of accountability.
So which mentality matters more in a real crisis—extreme pressure and desperation, or indifference and avoidance?
This program looks beyond China’s weapons and asks a much harder question: if the pressure becomes real, will China’s young people fight—or fold?