But why would the Chinese want Taiwan now? They certainly don’t need it from a technological point of view.
Does a bully ever stop wanting your lunch money?
RE: But why would the Chinese want Taiwan now?
Same reason they could not wait to gobble up Hong Kong after they signed a 50 year autonomy agreement with the UK witnessed by the United Nations in 1997.
Mao made taking back Taiwan a major goal for Red China - Taiwan has always been a sore spot with the Chi Comms - with Clueless Joe, they know it is ready to be picked off.
Because now they can. It was part of China before the Nationalists lost the mainland. Mao ultimately held fire (after some saber rattling) because he was realistic about the probable US response.
The ideal scenario (from a CCP point of view) would be to negotiate a Hong Kong style "one nation two systems" transition and no fighting.