[Zhang Fei]

[The PLAN doesn’t need carriers to take Taiwan. Taiwan is in range of land-based aviation from the mainland. What they do need are helicopter-equipped amphibs — and lots of them — because there aren’t many beaches suitable for landing large contingents of troops.

Carriers have their uses, but for China taking Taiwan doesn’t require them.]

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China needs ships and aircraft to mount a blockade of Taiwan such that supplies cannot reach it while an invasion is under way. Aircraft carriers and subs would seem to fit that bill.

[Tallguy]

A blockade wouldn’t work when submarines start picking off the blockading vessels. China would have to take Taiwan by storm. A sudden thrust. Anything less than that invites intervention.