Would China favor a maximal first strike or a more limited opening attack?
Short answerA limited approach is more consistent with taking and integrating Taiwan, because indiscriminate destruction would harden resistance and erase assets China wants to control.
NotesDisagreement over how much force to use would run through factions within the PLA, with commerce officials aligning with different groups. Control of Taiwan's historic sites forms part of the political objective in this scenario. Destroying those sites could leave lasting resentment over lost culture, whereas preserving and appropriating them could support cultural integration. This creates a reason for limiting destructive attacks even where more firepower is available.