Taiwan's cultural and political importance gives China reasons to capture important sites intact. Destroying cultural symbols could leave lasting grievances, whereas absorbing them could strengthen a victor's claim to authority. Extensive destruction remains possible, but it is judged unlikely to be the initial preference. Taking and holding territory while preserving those sites requires large ground forces, merchant shipping, and usable ports. Expectations of a liberator's welcome would clash with the increasingly Taiwanese identity described among younger generations, increasing the likely occupation burden.
Chapter · 33:02-36:57
Capturing Taiwan intact increases the ground-force burden
Political pressure to preserve Taiwan would make ports, merchant shipping, occupation forces, and sustained ground combat central to the invasion plan.