Elon Musk spoke out after Tesla sales soared in China
(Picture: PA Wire)Elon Musk has irked Taiwan after suggesting the country should be a special administrative zone ruled by China.
Beijing officials have, correspondingly, praised the world’s richest man - who told the Financial Times: “My recommendation... would be to figure out a special administrative zone for Taiwan that is reasonably palatable, probably won't make everyone happy.
"And it's possible, and I think probably, in fact, that they could have an arrangement that's more lenient than Hong Kong."
Taiwan rules itself but China’s government is increasing pressure for it to be taken off the map as a separate country and has pressured nations and businesses about their involvement.
Taiwan sells many products, but our freedom and democracy are not for sale. Any lasting proposal for our future must be determined peacefully, free from coercion, and respectful of the democratic wishes of the people of Taiwan.
— Bi-khim Hsiao 蕭美琴 (@bikhim) October 8, 2022
Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's ambassador to Washington tweeted: "Taiwan sells many products, but our freedom and democracy are not for sale.
"Any lasting proposal for our future must be determined peacefully, free from coercion, and respectful of the democratic wishes of the people of Taiwan.”
Mr Musk, who owns Tesla, spoke out as the electric car manufacturer hit a monthly record for sales in China.
Qin Gang, Chinese ambassador to the United States, tweeted: “I would like to thank Elon Musk 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 and the best approach to realising national reunification.
“Provided that China's sovereignty, security and development interests are guaranteed, after reunification Taiwan will enjoy a high degree of autonomy as a special administrative region, and a vast space for development.”
He added that the rights and interests of the Taiwanese will be protected.
