Elon Musk China/Taiwan peace plan praised by Beijing

[midian182]

A hot potato: Days after he caused controversy over his peace plan for Ukraine, Elon Musk has found himself in the middle of another geopolitical hot topic. This time, it's the tension between China and Taiwan. The world's richest person said the two nations could reach a "reasonably palatable" arrangement over the island, which has brought praise from China and anger from Taiwan.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Financial Times, Musk was asked about China, where the Shanghai Gigafactory produces between 30% - 50% of Tesla's EVs. He believes that conflict between the country and Taiwan, which is self-ruled but Beijing claims is part of its territory, is inevitable, adding that it would cause a 30% hit to the global economy, with Apple suffering more than most.

Musk also offered his solution to the problem: "figure out a special administrative zone for Taiwan that is reasonably palatable." He added that Taiwan could have "an arrangement that's more lenient than Hong Kong."

In August, Musk revealed that Tesla had produced over 3 million vehicles, one million of which came from the Shanghai factory. There were 83,000 Tesla's sold in China last month, a new record.

Congrats Giga Shanghai on making millionth car! Total Teslas made now over 3M. pic.twitter.com/2Aee6slCuv

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 14, 2022

China's ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, thanked Musk for his suggestion while reiterating his country's plans. "Peaceful reunification and 'one country two systems' are our basic principles for resolving the Taiwan question […] and the best approach to realising national reunification," said Gang.

Taiwan wasn't as pleased with Musk's suggestion. Its de facto ambassador to the US, Hsiao Bi-khim, said the country's "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."

Former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou weighed in with, "Elon Musk's opinion means 'one country two systems. I cannot accept this."

Musk also talked about the SpaceX Starlink system. The satellites have been provided to Ukraine since the war with Russia started in February—some officials in Putin's government have warned they could become a target—but it seems China, which refuses to call Russia's attack an invasion, disapproves.

The FT writes that Beijing sought assurances from Musk that he would not sell Starlink in China, though it never revealed if he agreed to the request. This isn't too much of surprise given that researchers in the country called for the development of weapons to destroy the satellites back in May.

This is highly likely to be the outcome in the end – just a question of how many die before then

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022

Musk gave his opinion on the Russia/Ukraine war last week when he tweeted a poll to gauge reaction to his peace plan, which brought plenty of international criticism. After almost 3 million votes, just under 60% of participants oppose his idea.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/96258-elon-musk-chinataiwan-peace-plan-praised-beijing.html

 

[winjer]

So Musk joined the CCP and is now sucking up to Xi Jinping.

 

[Xex360]

He didn't offer a solution he just stated the cure situation, Taiwan is a self governed part of China, this reality is accepted by everyone, China, all countries including US and its allies, and Taiwan itself.

 

[Dimitriid]

Not sure why anybody would listen to this guy regardless of their political alliances: If it wasn't as rich Musk would be tried for treason for these 'solutions'

 

[dangh]

He didn't offer a solution he just stated the cure situation, Taiwan is a self governed part of China, this reality is accepted by everyone, China, all countries including US and its allies, and Taiwan itself.

That is a BS, not all countries follows China vision of Taiwan, some countries recognise Taiwan as a separate country, and Taiwan itself do not think at all they are part of china.
Hongkong already proved that the 'Self-governing' part is as true as Russian referendum, and thankfully we will see more countries accepting the independence of Taiwan.

As for Musk, this guy simply lost it. Seems like the only value he sees is money, and that is backed up by his approach to employees, own companies, crypto, twitter and so on. He seems to be very short-sighted and probably don't understand that dictatorship tends to be expansive and more stable dee to overwhelming control of people's life, as we see in China, North Korea or Russia. They would happily take over everything else and using 'reeducation' create set of lambs who won't know anything better.
Musk become an 'useful *****' which is sad given how solid foundation he got to do some good things in his life. Apparently he decided it is enough to making children (surely not being a proper Father to them) and shitposting is enough.

 

[koblongata]

Time not important, only life important.

 

[yRaz]

I mean, China is going to take Taiwan, it's not an if, it's when. Business and citizens need to move the eff out of there because I don't think China is going to be pushed over like Russia is in Ukraine.

 

[wiyosaya]

Musk passing gas out of his various orifices again. His narcissism must need stroking by the media - again.

 

[VaRmeNsI]

RoC just needs to be patient, once the CCP falls they can reclaim the mainland.

 

[wiyosaya]

IMO, Musk should focus on resolving issues like this - https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/t...nnews11&cvid=2340f75cc34d4a6f808f1e616d57fce1

 

[Momo56]

The usual 2 minutes hate of Rob Thubron...

 

[umbala]

Not sure why anybody would listen to this guy regardless of their political alliances: If it wasn't as rich Musk would be tried for treason for these 'solutions'

This is one of the problems with capitalism. A few random people get ultra rich and then they think they know everything and their opinion matters.

 

[umbala]

I mean, China is going to take Taiwan, it's not an if, it's when. Business and citizens need to move the eff out of there because I don't think China is going to be pushed over like Russia is in Ukraine.

You have no idea what you're talking about. This is like saying the world is going to end, it's not an if, it's when. You can use that line for pretty much anything to try and sound clever. YOU are going to die, it's not if, it's when!

Anyway, China has been threatening to forcefully "re-unify" Taiwan for at least 40 years now. There's no peaceful way to do it and if they do it by force then the world's economy will basically collapse. China knows this and they know China would be among the countries hit hardest by this collapse. Also, China has already tried multiple times to take over Taiwan and failed. Try reading some history books before you leave nonsense comments.

 

[umbala]

That is a BS, not all countries follows China vision of Taiwan, some countries recognise Taiwan as a separate country, and Taiwan itself do not think at all they are part of china.
Hongkong already proved that the 'Self-governing' part is as true as Russian referendum, and thankfully we will see more countries accepting the independence of Taiwan.

As for Musk, this guy simply lost it. Seems like the only value he sees is money, and that is backed up by his approach to employees, own companies, crypto, twitter and so on. He seems to be very short-sighted and probably don't understand that dictatorship tends to be expansive and more stable dee to overwhelming control of people's life, as we see in China, North Korea or Russia. They would happily take over everything else and using 'reeducation' create set of lambs who won't know anything better.
Musk become an 'useful *****' which is sad given how solid foundation he got to do some good things in his life. Apparently he decided it is enough to making children (surely not being a proper Father to them) and shitposting is enough.

I'm amazed how many people leave a comment with their opinion presented as fact. Taiwan is not a separate country and it doesn't want to be. Last survey said 99% of Taiwan citizens do not want to secede and become a separate country. According to China the country is called PRC (People's Republic of China) and is lead by the Chinese Communist Party. According to Taiwan the country is called RoC (Republic of China) and is a democratic country. Taiwan's view is that the communist party of China is an illegitimate government. What Taiwan wants is democracy for the WHOLE country, they do not want to become a separate country. What China wants is to absorb Taiwan into their communist regime.

 

[Momo56]

I'm amazed how many people leave a comment with their opinion presented as fact.

There's no peaceful way to do it and if they do it by force then the world's economy will basically collapse

Pot, kettle, black...

 

[ScooterVNeuter]

Anyone who believes that China is not going to take Taiwan by treaty or force is nothing short of deluded. Better by treaty than by the kind of wholesale carnage we are witnessing in Ukraine.

 

[mbk34]

China is a big country with a huge population but, at the moment, it's financially unstable. It also has no energy reserves which makes it very easy to strangle it in a future conflict. It's currently growing it's army and Navy but China has been decimated in every major war it's ever fought. They've angered all the countries nearby by sovereignty claims around artificial islands, they've angered the UK by breaking democracy promises on HK and the only countries that support their claim on Taiwan are those that have been bought through huge loans from China.

 

[toooooot]

Rich people are not your friends.

 

[bviktor]

Just some lip service to the Chinese officials. He has to think of his biggest Tesla plant, after all!

 

[p51d007]

More lenient than Hong Kong. LMAO! I remember when Hong Kong was handed over to the CCP. Oh we'll have hands off on Hong Kong. We'll let them do as they have done, just provide "police protection". Since 1997, the CCP has tightened the noose on the "subjects" of Hong Kong. In 2019 they had a LOT of protests, but since the "covid scare", lock downs, arrests and what not, you don't hear much out of the peaceful protesters.
If they have some sort of "peace plan" for Taiwan, you can bet the same will happen to them, that has happened to Hong Kong.
Taiwan should "burn their factories to the ground" if the CCP is allowed one foot on the island of Taiwan.

 

[Xex360]

That is a BS, not all countries follows China vision of Taiwan, some countries recognise Taiwan as a separate country, and Taiwan itself do not think at all they are part of china.
Hongkong already proved that the 'Self-governing' part is as true as Russian referendum, and thankfully we will see more countries accepting the independence of Taiwan.

As for Musk, this guy simply lost it. Seems like the only value he sees is money, and that is backed up by his approach to employees, own companies, crypto, twitter and so on. He seems to be very short-sighted and probably don't understand that dictatorship tends to be expansive and more stable dee to overwhelming control of people's life, as we see in China, North Korea or Russia. They would happily take over everything else and using 'reeducation' create set of lambs who won't know anything better.
Musk become an 'useful *****' which is sad given how solid foundation he got to do some good things in his life. Apparently he decided it is enough to making children (surely not being a proper Father to them) and shitposting is enough.

Ignorance at its finest. You just fall for emotion and propaganda (not even Taiwanese one as they aren't so daft).