Just like their good buddies, the Russians: They both move military forces into disputed — or desired — areas and “annex” them.
Well, historically it has worked; even if illegal. Fait accompli. Bullies get away with such acts until someone stops them.
From the CCP's perspective, the USA is the bully of Asia, and the CCP will stop them. The USA's military-industrial complex has been surrounding and baiting the CCP for years. Will the CCP take the bait? So far, wisely, they have not, but that could change. The military-industrial complex sees the CCP as their only worthy opponent at the moment, hence the CCP-focused chip on their shoulder.
Communism is its own worst enemy. There's no reason to use blunt force kinetics on communism. Given enough rope, they will always hang themselves. Can we just bomb China with woke libtards? It's the only thing America still manufactures.