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bhrgunatha  ·  636 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Of Chinese Balloons and Tinfoil Hats

    I'm increasingly convinced that the primary purpose of this was to just flex and start shit.

I agree about the tactic but the timing is way-off for that in my opinion. I think Xi is trying to lessen tension - stalling for time to try and figure out how to counter the tech freeze. Hence the plan to meet Blinken personally. Stirring up shit like this might be effective after the diplomatic visit but not before.

I've read theories about CCP in-fighting and (anti-Xi faction) sabotage but here's an interesting and plausible alternative explanation - at least for me timestamp is 11:50 if it doesn't start in the right place.