The statement implies that according to an expert, China’s actions of encircling Taiwan serves as a diversion to distract attention from its true objective, which is to discourage the United States from intervening. In the field of international relations, creating a smokescreen is a common strategy used to achieve strategic objectives without attracting immediate opposition. By focusing attention on Taiwan, China might be seeking to create a complex geopolitical situation that would make it difficult for the U.S. to interfere without risking a major conflict.