you are dead right that it will take a brave Chinese leader to attempt to take Taiwan, but most analyists believe that it is Xi's primary objective. He has stated several times as much.
China's military buildup has been phenomenal. One example is that they now have over 70 submarines, six of which are nuclear powered. When it comes to invading Taiwan, it is the battle between China and the US/allies that is important. The 7th Fleet may be the best fleet in the world, but it is a single one of about 70 vessels, compared to the entire Chinese navy of over 350 vessels, not to mention their entire airforce, all of which can concentrate all their power on Taiwan, whareas the vast majority of the US power is no where near Taiwan, and unlikely to come either according to recent comments by US generals. Simply put, the 7th Fleet is vastly outnumbered and outgunned, especially in regard to China's extrememly powerful missile capability, all within easy range of the 7th.
It is this new military dynamic that makes China now a force to be reckoned with, and Xi is the man to take Taiwan. Yes, the Chinese peolpe may be a dark horse for co-operation, but let's not forget that many of them feel the same way about the 'Imperialist West' as the CCP do.
Personally, as I've said in my previous posts, I wouldn't be surprised if the 7th Fleet becomes another Pearl Harbour event, regrettfully.
