Musk on China-Taiwan: Beijing praise and Taipei criticism over comments

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Taiwan should become a special administrative zone of China, according to Musk.

In an interview with the Financial Times, the world's richest man said he believed the two governments could reach an agreeable arrangement.

Taiwan's ambassador to the US said freedom was not for sale.

Taiwan is part of Beijing's territory.

The electric car maker hit a new monthly record in China.

He spoke about the China-Taiwan tensions in an interview with the Financial Times.

He said that a special administrative zone for Taiwan might not make everyone happy.

It is possible that they could have an arrangement that is less strict than Hong Kong.

I would like to thank @elonmusk for his call for peace across the Taiwan Strait and his idea about establishing a special administrative zone for Taiwan. Actually, Peaceful reunification and One Country, Two Systems are our basic principles for resolving the Taiwan question... https://t.co/KYH1Gsu3Um

— Qin Gang 秦刚 (@AmbQinGang) October 8, 2022

China's ambassador to the US welcomed Mr Musk's proposal to establish Taiwan as a special administrative zone.

He said that China's basic principles for resolving the Taiwan question were peaceful reunification and the one country two systems model.

"If China's sovereignty, security and development interests are guaranteed, Taiwan will enjoy a high degree of autonomy as a special administrative region, and a vast space for development," he said.

Taiwan sells many products, but its freedom and democracy are not for sale according to Hsiao Bi-khim.

"Any lasting proposal for our future must be decided peacefully, free from coercion, and respectful of the democratic wishes of the people of Taiwan," she said.

Mr Musk's suggestions could hurt his business interests according to the Wilson Center director.

It is said that Musk is on the verge of purchasing the social networking site. Ms Goto said that free speech is not allowed in China and that there is a ban on the social networking site.

If he invests inTwitter, his company will probably not be able to operate in a Taiwan that is going to be under pressure or under the control of China. She said that it would be a suicide act by Musk.

Taiwan will one day be under Beijing's control.

According to a report by the China Passenger Car Association, 83,135 electric vehicles were delivered in September.

That broke the previous record set by the company in June and marked a milestone for the factory which has been trying to increase production.

Last week, Mr Musk was criticized for posting a poll on his website with his suggestions for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

• Why do China and Taiwan have poor relations? China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and insists it should be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary
• How is Taiwan governed? The island has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces
• Who recognises Taiwan? Only a few countries recognise Taiwan. Most recognise the Chinese government in Beijing instead. The US has no official ties with Taiwan but does have a law which requires it to provide the island with the means to defend itself