[Throwawayaerlei]

And/or a threat to his or the CCP's power, which is their first and foremost concern.

thinkmcfly might as well ask why WWI started when it predictably going to impoverish the major combatants. Saw a factoid some time ago that world trade did not return to the prewar level until a long time after WWII.

We could also Goodwin this and ask why did Hitler take the fatal step of seizing half of Poland. There age is also a possible motivation, he was 50 in the pre-antibiotic and much of modern medicine era.

[thinkmcfly]

I phrased my question to mirror another person's question but with the opposite bias; they created a anti-taiwan response opportunity, so I made my post with a pro-taiwan response opportunity. I believe Taiwan should remain free if that is what they want for themselves