Taiwan Firmly Asserts to Elon Musk: It's Not Sale

Taiwan has firmly rejected any notion of being sold or considered part of China in response to billionaire Elon Musk's recent comments. Foreign minister Joseph Wu emphatically stated, "Let me be clear, Taiwan is not a component of the People's Republic of China, and it is absolutely not available for sale," via Mr. Musk's platform, X.

Musk likened Taiwan to Hawaii during a business summit, characterizing it as an "integral part" of China, which further exacerbated already heightened tensions between Beijing and Taipei. China continues to assert territorial claims over Taiwan, leading to regular displays of military force in the region, including recent air and naval drills involving over 40 Chinese military aircraft and around 10 ships in Taiwan's vicinity.

This is not the first instance where Musk's comments have provoked ire from Taiwan's government. In October, he suggested a potential resolution to the Beijing-Taipei conflict by granting China some level of control over Taiwan. Musk had expressed belief in a "reasonably acceptable" arrangement between the two governments. However, Taiwan and its allies remain steadfast in their commitment to preserving Taiwan's freedom and autonomy, as reiterated by Mr. Wu's statement that freedom is "not something that can be bought."

Mr. Wu also made a notable request on X, urging Elon Musk to encourage the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to allow access to X for its citizens. Musk's micro-blogging platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, is currently blocked in China.

Mr. Wu has previously alleged that China's military exercises are an attempt to influence Taiwan's upcoming national elections. He underscored that the decision ultimately rests with Taiwan's citizens, rejecting outside interference from neighboring China.

Elon Musk's electric car company, Tesla, maintains a significant manufacturing presence in Shanghai, with his last visit to China taking place in May. During that visit, he engaged with top Chinese officials, and the Chinese foreign ministry reported Tesla's willingness to expand its operations in the country. Musk's interactions with China have drawn considerable attention, especially in the context of deteriorating relations between China and the United States. Despite ongoing high-level discussions, differences remain on various issues, with Taiwan emerging as one of the most contentious points of disagreement. The United States has long been a key ally of Taiwan in this context.