The Speaker of the American House of Representatives visited Taiwan this week, an island off the coast of China whose independence the Middle Kingdom does not recognize. It still considers it as a integral part of the country.  She came there as a friend, to affirm the support of the United States for this democracy of 24 million inhabitants.

And Jinping didn't like it one bit. The visit of this little 82-year-old lady triggered his anger and led to a whole series of military demonstrations around Formosa (as Taiwan was called in the 20th century).

Xi Jinping hates when people mess with his business. This leader sent fighter jets and military around the island, up to 20 kilometers from the coast. A fine demonstration of the Empire's power.

But is Nancy really a threat? And is Taiwan in a position to retaliate against a possible attack from China, a country with 1.402 billion inhabitants in 2020? Not really. China's strategy is based on long-term intimidation, to eventually isolate Taiwan from all its supporters, until China can just pick the ripe fruit, before it falls off its branch alone.