Today, during a House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party hearing, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) questioned former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the risks associated with a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in turmoil.

Rep. Luetkemeyer: “In your written testimony today, you talk about a couple of different things that deal with the difficulties that the Chinese economy is having right now. Demographically, they're struggling. You talk about how their stock market is a disaster. They're stealing money off state-owned offshore accounts. It says, ‘make no mistake, a weakened China is an ever-growing danger to the United States and the world.’ So, are you saying there, or do you want to just elaborate a little bit on this, that the weaker their economy is, the more volatile their government could be, and the more danger they are to the rest of the world?”

Former Sec. Pompeo: “It's not a direct line, that it is not a one-for-one. As they weaken, they present more risk. I think they present real risk, no matter whether their economy is thriving in any given year or not. It is the case that the decision-making apparatus and Secretary Panetta spoke to this, as there is more turmoil, as their economy struggles more, as they see the demographic handwriting on the wall, that the decision-making process inside of the Chinese Communist Party's leadership becomes more fractured.

And, as Xi Jinping sees the end of his time in leadership approaching, as each day goes on, he is more likely to try and achieve the end game that he has described. He has been unambiguous about his objectives, that he is determined to do it during his time. And so, I do think that as these challenges present themselves, there is always a risk that Xi Jinping will see the clock has run. And if America is not prepared to deter him, he'll be more likely to take action that is adverse to U.S. economic and U. S. military interests in the region.”

Watch the full exchange HERE.

Background: Last week, the Washington Times reported that with Russia’s help, China is building two nuclear reactors to produce plutonium. This strategic alliance specifically between Russia and China in the energy sector has become very concerning. Not only is our largest adversary producing nuclear weapons, but Russia is also helping fund this activity despite current U.S. sanctions. Another U.S. adversary, Iran, has exported record amounts of oil and skirted sanctions with China’s help.