For a long time, there was a pervasive belief in Washington and other western capitals that China would liberalize once it's population had obtained a certain amount of prosperity. What many people failed to understand was the ideology that drove the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and how it could employ capitalism to a communism end. Without a true understanding of what communists believe, it can be easy to fall prey to what they preach, which is very different from what they practice. In this episode of China Unscripted, we discuss the core beliefs of Xi Jinping and the Communist Party, the connection between progressivism and communism, and how the US can help Chinese people topple the Chinese Communist Party. Joining us in this episode is Brad Thayer, director of China policy at the Center for Security Policy and co-author of “Understanding the China Threat”.