Whataboutism and glossing over the huge sacrifices in freedom of expression and democracy that both countries would lose if they were to be taken over, well Taiwan at least. HK is already lost mostly. The people of both countries do not want it.

And you're entirely wrong about China being unwilling to use violence. 30 years ago they committed an atrocity in order to silence protest. They just don't think the risk-reward is worth it.