The first part has been known from both sides for decades. Any not-China-friendly country would do that. China would do the same if trading places.
The second part is questionable. International trolling has never been in the playbook of Chinese mandarins. CCP is not an exception. Essentially trolling is antithesis to the Chinese culture. The Chinese mandarins does have its own traditions and philosophies. Don't you think Xi's support to Putin is one of the consequences?
I have been saying this US folly for a long time. But cultural differences are in the way of rational geopolitical calculations. From the US side, not using that "idiot" would be a kind of dereliction of duty, under the geopolitical circumstances. The decision makers in the US cannot possibly understand deep-rooted Chinese traditions and strategies. From the China side, there is always this wishful thinking that, given time, the other side could wake up to the "Chinese reality". That is the fundamental reason I am pessimistic about US/China dynamics over Taiwan.
If and when the liberation war of Taiwan broke out, God forbidden, it would be in a much larger context in which Taiwan was just a piece or even an excuse. Given the Chinese ancient wisdoms, there is no reason to "invade" Taiwan for the sake of owning Taiwan. To the 1.5 billion Chinese, Taiwan is going nowhere, unless those green creatures can find a way to cut off Taiwan island below and tow it toward the west coast of California.
