[nradov]

Yes that's true, but for political reasons we would have to impose those sanctions and accept the chaos. Fortunately the mainstream political establishment has now recognized China as a real threat, and steps are being taken to decouple strategic industries. Hopefully some significant progress will be made before China builds up enough amphibious lift capacity to effect an invasion of Taiwan. At this point it's a race.

[woweoe]

Taiwan is lost in terms of defending it from any Chinese invasion. The US has been on the other end of proxy wars with China (Vietnam, Afghanistan, Korea) and has not managed to win one of them, and Ukraine is a big mess for everyone involved, and the US will not be deeply involved in the future. Hong Kong is a good example of the limitations of defending Taiwan.

[nradov]

Being an island, Taiwan is far more defensible than Vietnam, Afghanistan, Korea, or Ukraine. Prevailing weather conditions mean that an invasion is only even possible for a few months every year, and local geography means there are only a handful of beaches and ports where an amphibious invasion force could attempt to come ashore. China could wreck Taiwan using missiles and air strikes, but China still lacks the airborne and amphibious lift that would be necessary for a successful invasion. They are building rapidly, and so that situation will probably change in a few years. But even then, the Chinese leadership would have to be willing to accept horrific losses while crossing the strait and establishing a secure beachhead.

[polotics]

You're standing on many legs there: no comparison between the Asia of Taiwan and your other examples. Korea was very much a draw, and China has demonstrated complete inability to make the North into anything ressembling success. Hong Kong is on the Mainland. Taiwan will be able to defend itself "on-its-own" just like Ukraine os doing. And if/when conquered will be a worthless husk.

[yucky]

>Taiwan will be able to defend itself "on-its-own" just like Ukraine os doing.

Except Ukraine isn't defending itself. US/NATO is defending Ukraine with billions of dollars in weapons and priceless intelligence.