Musk’s proposal of Taiwan A administrative zone of China sparks controversy

A suggestion by Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk that Taiwan could be made a special administrative zone of China has provoked a backlash both from China and the self-governing island. Musk’s comment not only infringes on national sovereignty but also harms democracy, Democratic Progressive Party Spokesperson Huang Tsai-lin said on Saturday, reported Taiwan News. China’s state-run Central Television News issued an article titled, “Musk steps out of line in discussing China’s Taiwan issue, Foreign Ministry responds.” 

The article reported that during a routine press conference held by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spokesperson Mao Ning responded to a question about Musk’s “inappropriate statement.” 

Mao claimed in her answer that “the Taiwan issue is China’s domestic politics.” She added that China will “resolutely suppress interference by foreign forces,” a familiar statement often used in Chinese propaganda, which, in this case, appears to refer to Musk.

Meanwhile, Huang said Musk does not condemn the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) misconduct, but he instead “caters to the threat of the aggressor by sacrificing Taiwan’s independence, completely ignoring the limitless ambitions of authoritarian rulers.” 

He recommended figuring out “a special administrative zone for Taiwan that is reasonably palatable” and “more lenient than Hong Kong.” 

The statement immediately sparked outrage in Taiwan, with politicians from major political parties including the Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang, New Power Party, and Taiwan People’s Party issuing statements denouncing Musk’s remarks. Most agreed that Musk is largely driven by the business interests and stakes he has in China and therefore holds a subjective view of cross-strait issues. The CCP’s series of actions in recent years include conducting military exercises around Taiwan.