Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd (TSMC) produces roughly 90% of the world's most sophisticated computer chips 1.
The defense of Taiwan is VERY REAL and China most definitely has plans to bring Taiwan under its complete control by all means (including military, intelligence, economic, and political).
China is already at war with the U.S. (and Taiwan). It is just not waging war out in the open (i.e., they are following Sun Tzu's advice).
Also look at what Russia is doing in Ukraine. The slow burn is more effective than any zerg rush would have been as it kept the West in a drunken stupor instead of waking it up like a rapid conquest of Ukraine would have.
speaking strictly of military capabilities please see my #18 post