China being patient at different phases is for different reasons. At first, China has to be patient because it's too weak. Then when the timeline entered 21 century, China knew the time is on China's side. I don't know why some people still believe China being patient means cowardness. I believe this time, US dares not to send its seventh fleet to Taiwan strait if China decides to launch the war.
China cannot attack Taiwan then, but certainly now. I do not deny that
TECHNICAL side of war. But on that same technical front, there cannot be a 'limited' war between the two sides and once a full scale war is started, Taiwan will be destroyed. The island will be essentially economically useless for decades, costing China enormous capital in rebuilding, assuming China want to use the island again.
According to US Army doctrine 3-0 Operations.
1-26. War is chaotic, lethal, and a fundamentally human endeavor. It is a clash of wills fought among and between people. All war is inherently about changing human behavior, with each side trying to alter the behavior of the other by force of arms. Success requires the ability to out think an opponent and ruthlessly exploit the opportunities that come from positions of relative advantage. The side that best understands an operational environment adapts more rapidly and decides to act more quickly in conditions of uncertainty is the one most likely to win.
1-27. War is inextricably tied to the populations inhabiting the land domain. All military capabilities are ultimately linked to land and, in most cases, the ability to prevail in ground combat becomes a decisive factor in breaking an enemy’s will. Understanding the human context that enables the enemy’s will, which includes culture, economics, and history, is as important as understanding the enemy’s military capabilities. Commanders cannot presume that superior military capability alone creates the desired effects on an enemy.
Does the PLA have anything similar? If yes, then you guys better start reading it, even if you guys intend to avoid fighting despite how tough you guys talk on the internet.