China’s ambassador to the US has thanked Elon Musk for his suggestions on the future of Taiwan but reiterated Beijing’s call for “peaceful reunification” for the island.

The billionaire suggested tensions could be resolved by handing over some control of Taiwan to Beijing by creating a “special administrative zone” for Taiwan.

He admitted in an interview with the Financial Times that this probably “would not make everyone happy”.

China’s ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang tweeted: “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… and the best approach to realising national reunification.

Read more:
Could Taiwan follow Ukraine: The islanders living in the line of fire

“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.

War with China ‘absolutely not an option’, says Taiwan president

UK ‘dragging its heels’ over trade links to forced labour in China – as one survivor prepares to sue trade secretary

Chinese and Russian warships spotted off Alaskan island

“The rights and interests of the people in Taiwan will be fully protected, and both sides of the Taiwan Strait will share the glory of national rejuvenation. Peaceful reunification of China is also conducive to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific and the wider world.”

However, Mr Musk’s comments received short shrift from Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to Washington.

Hsiao Bi-khim said: “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.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

China has offered Taiwan a “one country, two systems” model of autonomy similar to what Hong Kong has.

But that has been rejected by all mainstream political parties in Taiwan and has very little public support, especially after Beijing imposed a tough National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020.

Beijing, which claims Taiwan as one of its provinces, has long vowed to bring it under its control and has not ruled out the use of force to do so.

Democratically ruled Taiwan’s government strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s 23 million people can decide its future.

Mr Musk’s comments came just days after he floated a possible deal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine that drew condemnation from Kyiv.

Related posts:

Emiliano Sala’s family taking legal action against Cardiff City over fatal plane crash Climate protester parachutes on to pitch at Euro 2020 game With one week to go can the Olympic spirit defeat the spectre of COVID-19 Gaddafi’s son announces candidacy for Libya’s presidential elections Macron changed colour of French flag ‘to revive a symbol of the revolution’ ‘You are all we have’: Ukrainian president’s message to troops as he accuses Europe of insufficient reaction to invasion ‘Go f*** yourself’: Ukrainian troops’ defiant words to Russian warship before being killed defending tiny island UK and US among 27 nations which have agreed to give more weapons and military aid to Ukraine Russia to ‘fundamentally cut back’ military activity near Kyiv and Chernihiv Motorcycle gunman kills five in Israel’s third deadly attack in a week Mohamed Salah misses World Cup play-off penalty after being dazzled with lasers Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe dies after being shot while giving speech, state broadcaster says