Yep, that TT article caught my eye. I think it's a huge red flag. It could be the beginning of an air blockade, or at least China testing the waters for one. It strikes me as a pretty big deal, a sign of things to come.

As you point out, it's location and relative international obscurity make it less likely that the US or other countries would support Taiwan in a confrontation over the island(s). This barely reported (so far) event could signal the beginning of a new aggressive strategy.