However, moving up the escalation ladder is also fraught with risks, not just in a miscalculation but also leaving itself with fewer rungs to climb in the future. This limits its room for manoeuvre in the future and China will likely have to up the ante to instil any psychological or political effects as before.
Indeed, several news reports from Taiwan have suggested that the locals have adopted a blasé view towards the ongoing Chinese military activity around the island, with life going on as usual despite the ongoing rhetorical and figurative fireworks across the Taiwan Strait.
I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.