China has suggested that Taiwan's energy security concerns, heightened by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, could be resolved through "peaceful reunification", as Beijing continues to outline economic and social incentives for the island, South China Morning Post reported.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, said removing "barriers" across the Taiwan Strait would ensure smoother access to critical resources. He added that reunification would unlock "enormous opportunities" for Taiwan's development while delivering tangible benefits to its people.
"The mainland's abundant power supply is more than sufficient to meet the electricity needs of Taiwan's companies," Chen said, asserting that households could be spared power shortages during peak demand periods. According to Chen, Beijing could help address Taiwan's dependence on imported energy, ranging from electricity and natural gas to crude oil, by providing "stable and reliable" supply support.
He added that such integration would enable access to "cheaper, cleaner and more stable energy". The remarks come as Taipei closely monitors the fallout of the Israel-US war with Iran, amid fears of disruption to global oil and gas flows.
Taiwan has already activated contingency mechanisms, including an emergency response team under its Ministry of Economic Affairs, to secure alternative energy supplies. Officials have indicated that, in extreme scenarios such as a prolonged blockade affecting shipments, state-run CPC Corporation could redirect non-Middle Eastern gas supplies or procure energy from spot markets to ensure domestic stability. Taiwan is also planning to increase liquefied natural gas imports from the United States to between 15% and 20% before 2029.
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South China Morning Post reported that senior Chinese leader Wang Huning previously outlined potential gains, including improved infrastructure, resource security and broader economic integration. Meanwhile, Modern Diplomacy reported that Taiwan has firmly rejected the offer from China linking energy security to political unification, highlighting how the Iran war is reshaping geopolitical pressure far beyond the Middle East.
Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has in recent months intensified efforts to highlight the economic and lifestyle benefits of reunification. While most countries, including the United States, do not formally recognise Taiwan as an independent state, Washington has consistently opposed any attempt to alter the status quo by force and continues to support the island's defence capabilities.
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