I will have to admit that China's ships and fly-bys this weekend in their effort to intimidate Taiwan concerned me a great deal.  Then i wondered.

Why doesn't China simply pull the trigger?  Beating one's chest proves nothing.  Does Xi think Taiwan is simply going to cower and fold their hand?  I don't think so.

Keep it up, Xi, and you will end up with nothing but your unholy reliances with people you don't even like--like Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.  Everyone else will consider you a pariah (with the possible exception of France, that is--you never know what the French will choose to do--history has proven that time and time again).  The last time i looked your supposed friends don't have much to offer you other than oil.  And do you know what the long-term future of oil is? 

The truth of the matter is this.  Any effort to overwhelm Taiwan with your military mite means you are on your own against the free world--and i wouldn't count on winning that fight.

The question remains.  After you conquer and destroy Taiwan (like you did Hong Kong), what is next on your agenda?  All the different Chinatown's in the world?  That would only make logical sense based upon your arguments that you own Taiwan.  Try beating your chest off the coast of San Francisco and let's see where that gets you.

Consider these facts.  Population of Taiwan = 24 million.  Population of China = 1.4 billion.  Taiwan's population represents less than 2.0% of China's.  If you think that 2.0% is going to make you omnipotent, then i think you need to think again.  You will need more than that 2.0% and your reliable friends to conquer the world.

The risk-reward simply does not add up for you, Xi.  Beating your chest is the safest thing you can do.  No one gets hurt, yet it makes you feel good.  It does make you look a bit silly though.

ps.  Thanks again for bringing the coronavirus to the world.  After you conquer Taiwan, that will be remembered as your second biggest "world leadership" accomplishment.

ps1.  I just looked it up.  The population of the Chinatowns in San Francisco, New York, and Washington, DC comes to about 100,000 or about 0.007% of that of China--i don't think there is much for you to gain there either.  One can only think you must have bigger targets in mind.

ps2.  It's time for world peace, Xi.  Your legacy would be much greater supporting world peace than it will be if you start the next big war.  

ps3.  The United States is not your enemy, Xi.  Your unfounded sense of grandeur is your greatest enemy.