#chinainsights As subsequent events unfold, we have noticed that this incident is inconsistent with Xi’s agenda of trying to de-escalate international relations, particularly with the U.S. It should have revealed the internal strife within the CCP. The top brass of the PLA could have deliberately launched a balloon to sabotage Blinken’s visit to China. It would be tricky for Taiwan’s defense, and it may take a relatively long decision time to respond to this kind of ambiguous provocation, thus losing the o
