China Makes Energy Security "Reunification" Offer to Taiwan

China offered what it described as energy stability to Taiwan if it agreed to Beijing’s rule, part of a campaign to convince the island of the benefits of “reunification,” which it has long rejected, Ben Blanchard reported for Reuters.

Taiwan, which had received a third of its LNG from Qatar and sources no energy from China. (Photo: Pline, Wikimedia Commons) 

Governments around the world are scrambling for alternative energy supplies amid the Middle East war and the severing of shipping lanes through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Taiwan, which had received a third of its LNG from Qatar and sources no energy from China, said it has secured alternative supplies for the months ahead, including from the US, the island’s main international backer.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters in Beijing that “peaceful reunification” would bring better protection of Taiwan’s energy and resource security with a “strong motherland” as its backing.

“We are willing to provide Taiwan compatriots with stable and reliable energy and resource security, so that they may live better lives,” he said.