Elon Musk Says Taiwan Should Become ‘Special Administrative Zone’ Under China

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has sparked a flurry of critical reactions after telling the Financial Times that he thinks conflict over Taiwan is inevitable and the self-governed island should become a “special administrative region” under Beijing’s control, like Hong Kong but “more lenient.”

Musk made the remarks in a Financial Times interview published on Oct. 7, after being asked about China, where Tesla manufactures as much as half of its total output.

If an open conflict over Taiwan were to break out, which Musk said he thinks is bound to happen, then Tesla would get caught up in it, he said. Apparently wishing to avoid business interruptions, Musk then expressed his eyebrow-raising take on the fate of the island, which Beijing has long vowed to gain control over, by force if necessary.

“My recommendation … would be to figure out a special administrative zone for Taiwan that is reasonably palatable, probably won’t make everyone happy,” Musk is quoted as saying.