How early can the British defeat the Qing Dynasty?

But I'm not arguing for a war to conquer China. Just to weaken the central authorities enough that other indigenous rulers spring up at a regional level.

That requires a general war, not a regional one. This did happen in a regional one IOTL but without a man like Hong Xiuquan around it's not going to do so anything like the OTL Taiping Rebellion.
 
Could they have taken Taiwan and then used it as a Naval/Army base to control larger parts of the mainland or at least support various local rulers.
 
Could they have taken Taiwan and then used it as a Naval/Army base to control larger parts of the mainland or at least support various local rulers.

First they would need to take control of Taiwan, develop its infrastructure to the point that it can support that function, and ensure the compliance of the local population. I don't see it happening.
 
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