China offers Taiwan energy deal in exchange for unity amid Iran crisis
Photo: Chinese leader Xi Jinping (Getty Images)
China is offering Taiwan reunification, promising to ensure the island's energy security amid global instability caused by the situation in the Middle East, Reuters reports.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasized that in the event of a peaceful reunification, Taiwan would receive a stable supply of energy resources and see an improvement in living conditions.
"We are willing to provide Taiwan compatriots with stable and reliable energy and resource security, so that they may live better lives," his statement says.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te convened a meeting of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, during which he announced that the island has sufficient resources for the coming months.
"Taiwan has adopted a diversified and multi-source strategic approach to energy imports," he states.
Reuters notes that China has long offered Taiwan autonomy under the one country, two systems principle if it agrees to come under Beijing’s control.
China-Taiwan conflict
China considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province that must eventually return to Beijing’s control. Taiwan considers itself an independent state with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has previously stated that reunification with Taiwan is necessary and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this goal.
In recent years, tensions have escalated due to China’s intensified military exercises near the island, an increase in cyberattacks, and attempts to limit international support for Taipei.
According to Western intelligence, a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could occur as early as November 2026.
In December, the US State Department announced that Taiwan would receive a military aid package worth over $11 billion. This is the largest sale of US weapons to Taiwan to date.
The package includes missiles, drones, artillery systems, and military software.
