Mainland China says Taiwan can ease Iran energy supply anxiety with peaceful reunification

Comments build on Beijing’s recent tendency towards detailing economic and lifestyle benefits for island from reunification2-MIN READ2-MIN3 ListenPublished: 4:34pm, 18 Mar 2026Updated: 7:01pm, 18 Mar 2026Authorities in Beijing say peaceful reunification will solve Taiwan’s energy supply fears sparked by the hostilities in the Middle East, emphasising that “the removal of barriers between the two sides of the [Taiwan] strait will ensure the smooth flow of resources”.Chen Binhua, spokesman for Beijing’s Taiwan-affairs-office" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="6513" data-entity-type="organization">Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday that peaceful reunification would create enormous opportunities for the island’s economic and social development and bring tangible benefits to the people there.That included “better protection of Taiwan’s energy resources, backed by a strong motherland”, Chen said when asked about concerns in Taiwan about the energy supply amid the Israel-US war on Iran.01:22Oil tankers set ablaze by Iranian drones as shipping vessels targeted in Middle East warOil tankers set ablaze by Iranian drones as shipping vessels targeted in Middle East war“The mainland’s abundant power supply is more than sufficient to meet the electricity needs of Taiwan’s companies and can ensure that households across the island are freed from the inconvenience and worries of power shortages and outages during peak seasons,” he said.According to Chen, this would effectively address Taiwan’s shortages of electricity, natural gas, crude oil and other energy resources, allowing the people to access cheaper, cleaner and more stable energy supplies.“We are ready to provide stable and reliable energy resource support to our compatriots in Taiwan, ensuring they can lead better lives,” he said.Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to arming Taiwan for its defence.In the past year, Beijing has communicated in greater detail how it sees Taiwan gaining economically from reunification.