Your original point that the West's influence, through geopolitics, mattered very little, and internal party power struggles determined Taiwan's fate is inaccur

Your original point that the West's influence, through geopolitics, mattered very little, and internal party power struggles determined Taiwan's fate is inaccurate. It doesn't matter if Xi is directly aware of geopolitics or if its impact, through proxies, shape his decision, it's still geopolitical consequences that largely protects Taiwan. Rivals are partially against an invasion because it harms them financially, or harms their family's interests. This is amplified by their desire to not give Xi a victory, but if the deterrent didn't exist, surely there could be no plausible push back.