I totally agree with your view here
If MAO knew that the US had M-1, B-52s, Bradleys,Apaches ,satellite etc, he would NOT have entered the war, for that would be suicidal (and stupid) on his part
There is a theory, that speculates that STALIN schemed and engineered the KOrean War to get the US to fight China. Before the Korean War started, MAO had been trying to make friend with the Americans, by using 3rd party intermediaries, ---and the USSR did NOT like the idea too much