There have been many cases where China has resorted to the use of force under such circumstances. China tried to press Vietnam to pull its troops out of Cambodia by massing troops on the border with Vietnam in 1979 when Vietnam invaded Cambodia to topple the pro-China Pol Pot government. China attacked Vietnam, which was promoting its pacification in Cambodia and ignored China's warning, only to be routed by battle-hardened Vietnamese troops. Since China raised its fist at Taiwan by test-firing ballistic missiles, it cannot drop the fist to save face before the raised fist generates a certain effect. The United States has approached North Korea, and also approved a visit to the U.S. by President Li while exporting large quantities of weapons to Taiwan.
China appears to be uneasy about the situation where an encircling net is being laid.
If China is driven into a corner, it will take drastic and repulsive actions. The Taiwan Strait is likely to remain highly tense until the presidential election is held next March in Taiwan.