I was thinking somewhat on those lines. The problem with Taiwan, for China, is that they want to capture it with its condition as intact as possible. What good is a Taiwan to China, after a nuclear sand-blasting?
The same considerations may not hold good for China’s other military ambitions.
Remember how easily the Nazis moved in on Norway and Denmark. (Not saying it was easy, but it was easier than one would have predicted.)
The Chicoms could do at least as well in Taiwan. Just get their people into key positions and let traditional Chinese respect for authority do the rest. No nukes needed. Infrastructure intact, as in a bloodless corporate takeover. People wake up to new managers, just like the invasion of the body snatchers.
After all, nobody wants trouble. Not the moneyed interests, not the working stiffs, not the underclasses, not the foreigners, nobody.
If they do it right and use their napkins, it won’t be denounced in the UN, it’ll be admired.