If your prevailing argument is "PLA won't know where they are because ROCAF will have hidden them well" that is fine. I think it's a bit of a lazy argument because I can come up with an equally lazy response by saying "PLA know the ROCAF will seek to hide E-2s so will dedicate intelligence to track them".
It is true. But the overall conclusion to this line of our conversation is "it is a game of two".
And, judging historically, preemptive strikes against those who expect them fail to reach their mark more often than not.
No doubt they will be brought down. If not by initial salvos, then by follow-ons in cat-and-mouse games. Or in the air. Or in a landing accident on an hastily repaired unmarked airstrip.
Question is, how fast it will happen, because China is playing against time. And will it be enough for the US to react. If it will, consequences of acting are enormous for 大陆(mainland)
And even considering ROCAF attempts to protect and hide their AEW aircraft, I think even you must agree that the small number of E-2s they have, the overall strategic vulnerability of Taiwan to OCA, and the limited strategic depth of Taiwan as an island in general means the prospects of the ROCAF being able to sustain a combat effective AEW capability during wartime are bleak?
Sustain is a dream which will indeed just kill them(on their own, at least). There are lesser, but still suitable options(like launch on ELINT/OTH warning). Advantages of home ground and
friends make them both acceptable and plausible.
Sure, 24/7 is much better. But 0/0 with 6/6 taken out is much worse.