If China sets sail for Taiwan, it will be the shortest conflict in the region's history. There's 9 hours for the US to blow every ship and sub in the fleet to kingdom come, plus the massive missile repulse from the island itself and from Japan, who wouldn't mind testing out their new boats and weapons on an old adversary.
There is nothing to gain by attempting to take Taiwan except some nationalistic fervour, the downside is domestic revolution as the economy tanks due to export embargos.
There won't be any help from Russia after Xi disappeared Putin's old mate Hu Jintao last year
China should just accept it prospers because of the US and US sphere of influence and get on addressing the massive poverty and deprivations which exist not far out from its coastal fringes. No body wants China anymore, except maybe Russia and other third world back waters.
