Nothing has changed. Unlike the last admin that didn't even know they were here this admin is having target practice. 
Ukraine is having target practice as well, would you like to look like them?
Just for the optics this is worth it for China
1) Has a Balloon Fly through the continental US, while citizens taking photos and vids a Chinese military craft flying over their homes.
2)Additional Balloons spotted over other countries
3)Another mysterious object which officials have no idea how it's even in the air Shot down over the US
4) Jets are scrambled to for a radar false alarm
5) Closed airspace over Montana of defense reasons
What does this look to you like? To me it's very clear the Chinese are playing with the weak Biden Admin doing acts of war, with the only US response stopping Blinken visit.
A laughing stock