The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long claimed Taiwan as part of Chinese territory and has not ruled out the use of force to exert authority over the island. Elon Musk recently faced criticism from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for stating that Taiwan was an “integral part of China” and comparing it to China’s Hawaii. Musk made these remarks during a live-streamed speech at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles, where he expressed his understanding of China based on his interactions with senior leaders in the country.
Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu responded to Musk’s comments by urging him to ask the CCP to grant freedom of speech to its people. He emphasized that Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and is not for sale. Jeff Li, the spokesperson for Taiwan’s foreign ministry, also criticized Musk for prioritizing economic interests over the lack of freedom of speech in China.
This is not the first time Musk has sparked controversy regarding Taiwan. Last year, he suggested that Taiwan could resolve tensions with mainland China by becoming a “special administrative zone” under its control. This proposal received praise from the Chinese regime but drew strong criticism from Taipei.
Amidst the economic crisis in China, some observers believe there is an increased risk of military confrontation in the Taiwan Strait. As China grapples with economic and demographic challenges, it is feared that Chinese leader Xi Jinping could become more risk-accepting and unpredictable. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has also warned that China is building up its military capabilities in preparation for a potential war with the United States.
China has been escalating its military activities near Taiwan in recent years. Most recently, Taiwan reported a significant number of Chinese warplanes and vessels near its territory. The Chinese aircraft breached the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone. These military incursions coincided with China’s naval formation led by the Shandong aircraft carrier passing near Taiwan on its way to military drills in the western Pacific.
In addition to military actions, China has been attempting to deepen its economic influence over Taiwan. The regime has unveiled measures to develop Fujian Province, which faces Taiwan, into an integrated development zone with better access for Taiwanese enterprises. Taiwan views this as another attempt by China to attract Taiwanese investment and loyalty.
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan has strongly criticized these efforts and dismissed them as wishful thinking. Despite China’s claims and actions, Taiwan remains a self-governing island that values its democracy, freedom, innovation, and development.