It would plunge them into war. War with America and Japan. It would cause a greater war, where everybody else would become involved.

Taiwan isn't Ukraine. Both America's current admin Biden, has promised to defend it, Japan has also confirmed a defense of it. At the same time North Korea would attack. By then it would have spilled into more of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Can China even invade it. It would have a colossal death toll trying to beach on it. It's an Island. It has a huge population. Attacking military targets would destroy population centers. But Taiwan has an airforce, subs, smaller ships, missile offense and defenses. China would get hit, before any potential nukes went off. Think of those losses an invasion force would suffer, attempting invasion. Tens of thousands immediately. Unless it could achieve the impossible. Literally target and destroy before Taiwan could scramble and lock. No. Historically even successful invasions of Islands were catastrophic for Attackers, crippling other defenses prior, to secure a beach head.

We are talking a country here even if China doesn't recognise it. It has a staggering population. Far simpler just to erase it.

Almost like to see it try. Because it cannot be done. Not in the sense of invading. Wouldn't you missile it into oblivion? Anybody left at that point well perhaps you could claim a victory? Swarming with millions, perhaps. Wouldn't it be the Mongol Fleet. Laughable.