Beijing: China has offered Taiwan energy stability if the country accepts Chinese governance, as part of a campaign to highlight the benefits of "reunification" that Taiwan has consistently rejected.

According to Thai News Agency, while governments worldwide are scrambling to find alternative energy sources amidst the Middle East conflict and the disruption of vital shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, Taiwan has secured backup energy sources for months to come, including imports from the United States. Taiwan, which imports one-third of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and makes no energy imports from China, is moving forward with these plans.

Chen Bin-hua, spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, stated in Beijing that "peaceful reunification" will better safeguard Taiwan's energy and resource security, providing a strong homeland as a reliable support. He added that China is willing to provide reliable energy security for its compatriots in Taiwan, enabling them to enjoy a better quality of life.

However, the Taiwanese government has yet to respond to the statement. Taiwan has consistently rejected China's sovereignty claims and maintains that only the Taiwanese people have the right to decide their own future. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, speaking at a party meeting of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party today, reiterated that there is sufficient energy supply for this month and next, and that imports of gas from the United States will increase from June onwards. Taiwan has adopted a strategic approach to importing energy from diverse sources.

China has long proposed the "one country, two systems" concept, granting Taiwan self-governance if it submits to Chinese control. However, no major political party in Taiwan supports this idea, while China itself has never declared it will abandon the use of military force to reunify with Taiwan.

In addition, it has been reported that China, the world's largest oil importer, has suspended fuel exports until at least the end of March to prevent domestic shortages. This suspension will affect export figures that totaled US$22 billion last year (approximately 780 billion baht).