Elon Musk rocks US-China relations

Elon Musk is a businessman.

But in recent days, he’s turned diplomat, proposing solutions to some of the world’s most sensitive conflicts.

These conflicts have the potential to redefine balance on the international stage. And they are often defined as the conflict between democracy and dictatorship.

The richest man in the world considers himself a global CEO.

For him, the current leadership vacuum created by the division between people and politicians around the world needs to be filled. Musk, who promised to change the civilization of today, is a figure admired all over the world.

His candid, punchy style appeals to older generations and Gen Z alike. The billionaire has managed to create close connections with millions of people around the world via the social network he mastered perfectly.

It is therefore not surprising that he meddles in geopolitical matters because he feels he has a responsibility to do something.

Taiwan, the new Hong Kong?

“I’m doing my best! Maybe more people will think about loving humanity,” Tesla CEO recently said (TSLA) , after offering a controversial peace plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. “The light of our collective consciousness is a small candle in the vast darkness. Please do not extinguish it.”

Billionaire sure proposed an unsolicited peace plan End the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

Ukraine should also not seek to become a member of the European Union and NATO.

the plan was wide was denied By Ukrainian authorities and Twitter users who Musk asked for a vote.

despite this strong rejectiontechnology tycoon Continue Seek solutions to prevent the conflict from escalating into nuclear war.

Not burned by his failure in Ukraine, he has just put forward a plan to resolve tensions between China and Taiwan.

“My recommendation would be to come up with a Taiwan Special Administrative Region, which would be reasonably palatable and probably not to everyone’s satisfaction,” Musk said. financial times“In fact, they could have a more lenient arrangement than Hong Kong,” he said.

Basically, the billionaire thinks Beijing must have some control over the island, which sees Taiwan as part of its own territory. Taiwan now has an independent government.

masks make china happy

Musk’s remarks come at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and China over Taiwan’s sovereignty. President Joe Biden has warned China that the United States will defend Taiwan militarily in the event of an armed conflict.

On September 28, a U.S. Senate committee passed a bill titled the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022. For the first time since 1979, the document provides for a substantial increase in U.S. military aid to Taiwan, as well as a major revision of Washington’s approach to this ultra-sensitive issue.

The current policy, adopted in 1979, deliberately makes it unclear what the United States would do if China attacks Taiwan. there is

Relations between Washington and Beijing were further strained after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last August. The visit provoked a fierce reaction from China, which almost immediately organized naval air operations around the island on a scale unprecedented since 1945.

These tensions come against the backdrop of the Chinese Communist Party Congress, which will almost certainly see Xi Jinping re-elected for a third term from October 16th.

Unsurprisingly, China welcomed Musk’s proposal to make Taiwan a special administrative region like Hong Kong.

China’s Ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, tweeted on October 9, “I would like to thank @elonmusk for calling for peace in the Taiwan Strait and for the idea of ​​establishing a special administrative region in Taiwan.” . One country, two systems is the basic principle for resolving the Taiwan issue. ”

Taiwan says no

He added: “And the best approach to realize the reunification of the motherland. As long as China’s sovereignty, security and development interests are guaranteed, after reunification, Taiwan will be elevated as a special administrative region. It will enjoy a vast space for autonomy and development.”

“The rights and interests of the people of Taiwan will be fully protected, and both sides of the Taiwan Strait will share the glory of national rejuvenation. China’s peaceful reunification will also contribute to the peace and development of the Asia-Pacific and the wider world.” It helps..”

The Taiwanese side rejected the billionaire’s proposal.

The island will not accept proposals “based on investment returns to transform a democratic country into a special administration,” said Chiu Chui-cheng, vice minister of Taiwan’s mainland commission. bloomberg.

Washington has yet to formally react to Musk’s proposal.

China is a key region for Tesla as it seeks to dominate the global electric vehicle market. The company owns a factory in Shanghai, which is crucial to his EV maker’s global ambitions.

Temporary lockdowns in March and April due to COVID-19 certainly hit Tesla’s production and deliveries.