I imagine that China is like the US in this way. There are diverse views and likely even people that are given platforms to threaten things like this. There isn't a uniform "China" even unified CCP. There are likely factions. Some favoring war, others that want to avoid it if at all possible.

Bottom line. Stay skeptical. I don't see China itching to start a war with the US. There's much to lose. Not saying it can't or won't happen but its far from unavoidable and we should be trying to avoid war. Not seek it out. War is incredibly wasteful and the plebs pay the cost on all sides. The elites get richer and more control over the masses. No respecting pleb should support the warfare state. We have too much to lose.