[calyth2018]

Like others pointed out, it's just manufacturing consent.

The stated aim on the mainland side is reunification. Anyone with two brain cells would know that bombing a place to shit and then try to run it is going to be hell. See Iraq.

Taiwan knows that if they go for de jure independence, then that will leave the mainland with no choice but military action.

US knows that this is the juiciest way to do a Bait and Bleed (using Mearsheimer's terms), and will do whatever it takes to drum up the possibility while not directly engaging in an armed conflict with China.

This is just standard operating procedures when you have more than hegemons in the world.