Taiwan’s foreign minister, Joseph Wu, has firmly rejected billionaire Elon Musk’s assertion that Taiwan is a part of China and emphasized that Taiwan is “not for sale.” Musk made these comments during a business summit, where he likened Taiwan to Hawaii, describing it as an “integral part” of China. The issue underscores the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and Beijing, which escalated over the past year.
China claims sovereignty over self-governing Taiwan, and the relationship between the two entities remains highly contentious. Recent military drills conducted by China in the vicinity of Taiwan have further escalated tensions. Taiwan reported the presence of more than 40 Chinese military aircraft and approximately 10 ships in its waters as part of these exercises.
This is not the first time Elon Musk has made controversial statements regarding Taiwan. In October, he suggested that the China-Taiwan dispute could be resolved by granting China some level of control over Taiwan. His remarks then had also drawn criticism from Taiwan’s government. In response, Taiwan’s foreign minister reiterated that “freedom is not for sale.”
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), urging Elon Musk to encourage the Chinese Community Party (CCP) to open access to X for the Chinese people. Notably, X is banned in China. Mr. Wu highlighted the intentions behind China’s military exercises, suggesting that China aimed to influence Taiwan’s national elections scheduled for January. He emphasized that the decision regarding Taiwan’s future should rest with its citizens, not external pressures.
Elon Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, has a significant manufacturing presence in Shanghai, China. During his visit to China in May, he engaged with top Chinese officials, and the Chinese foreign ministry expressed Tesla’s willingness to expand its business operations in the country.
The United States has been a longstanding ally of Taiwan, and the Taiwan issue remains a major point of contention between the US and China. Despite resumed high-level talks, the two countries continue to disagree on multiple issues, including Taiwan. The US plays a crucial role as Taiwan’s chief ally in international relations.
For more updates stay tuned to FELA News!
Source: BBC News
