Prior to America's other senile leader putting herself in harms' way by touching down in Taiwan today, Xijin let loose a volley of histrionics that left little doubt as to where Beijing stood:

"If US fighter jets escort Pelosi's plane into Taiwan, it is invasion," Hu Xijin of Global Times wrote on Twitter. "The [Chinese military] has the right to forcibly dispel Pelosi's plane and the US fighter jets, including firing warning shots and making tactical movement of obstruction. If ineffective, then shoot them down."

For want of doubt, an official Chinese spokesman chimed in shortly thereafter:

At a daily press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated China's opposition to Mrs. Pelosi's visiting Taiwan……No matter for what reason Pelosi goes to Taiwan, it will be a stupid, dangerous and unnecessary gamble," Ms. Hua said. "It is difficult to imagine a more reckless and provocative action."

She got that right. Pelosi has now completed an utterly "stupid, dangerous and unnecessary gamble", and for what earthly purpose?