Taiwan's Tsai government wants a referendum for independence in August? They are really desperate. Currently, Taiwan lacks both water and electricity. The Taiwan government has messed up pretty badly.
What does it matter what they wanted to do. Only thing that matters is the Lord the US. And the US already backed down on 6th of January when the US military stopped their UN envoy coming to Taiwan due to PLA warnings.
IMO all this is grandstanding. The US did all these grandiose high-profile Quad/Japan/Australia meetings and statements to appear strong when they soon meet with China at Alaska.
However China already know this, so i expect that China will call the US bluff on the Alaska meeting. It will force US to show its real hand and then the masks will go off in that their hand is truly weak.
I mean does the US thinks that Chine doesnt know about Sun Tzu?
"Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak"