gfx_viewdistance in options.txt no longer has any effect; client overwrites settings on startup

The maximum render distance could be set manually in the options.txt file by adjusting the gfx_viewdistance parameter.

Version 1.16.201 overwrites or resets the options.txt file when the client starts.
So the maximum render distance is now set by the client. 
It is not possible to go beyond the calculated value set by the client.

How can Windows Bedrock users override the maximum render distance?