[RivieraKid]

They have implied that annexing Taiwan is a key priority and that they are willing to use force if it turns out to be necessary.

"Provoke" means doing something with the intention to trigger an emotional or other reaction. That's not what Taiwan is doing.

[itishappy]

Provoke often just means just inciting a reaction. Intent is not included in all defections. If China reacts to this, then China has been provoked.