China-Taiwan energy pivot
Beijing rolled out a tech masterplan aiming at breakthroughs to 2030 and — in a notable diplomatic move — reportedly offered Taiwan an energy‑security deal tied to sovereignty concessions, blending tech ambition with geopolitical leverage. Taiwan has flipped its stance on nuclear and is planning to restart two mothballed reactors to stabilize power amid shocks, while analysts warn Vietnam’s deeper reliance on Russian energy could threaten growth and political stability. (economist.com) (newbloommag.net) (fdd.org) (scmp.com)
China’s top legislature approved the 2026–2030 national blueprint at the National People’s Congress on March 12, formally embedding the 15th Five‑Year Plan as the state framework for technology and economic priorities through 2030. (english.www.gov.cn) The plan explicitly channels state resources into AI, robotics, semiconductors, quantum and biotech, names “embodied intelligence” as an industrial priority, and mentions advanced fields such as brain–computer interfaces and flying vehicles in public reporting of the draft. (global.chinadaily.com.cn) Beijing’s public offer to guarantee “energy stability” to Taiwan in return for reunification was reported by Reuters on March 18, and Taipei’s government formally rejected the proposal on March 19. (msn.com) China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua framed the pitch as “peaceful reunification” that would secure Taiwan’s energy and resource needs, while Taipei says it has tapped alternative LNG supplies, including from the United States. (straitstimes.com) Taiwan’s state utility Taipower is preparing restart applications for two mothballed plants — Kuosheng and Maanshan — with plans due to be submitted to the Nuclear Safety Commission by the end of March 2026 after ministry feasibility checks. (focustaiwan.tw) Kuosheng’s two units are listed at about 985 MW each and Maanshan’s units at roughly 936 MW and 938 MW, and nuclear previously supplied a material share of Taiwan’s power (reported as nearly 20% before the 2025 shutdowns), underpinning Taipei’s drive to restore capacity. (nucnet.org) Vietnam’s prime minister flew to Moscow on March 22 for talks that will include oil‑and‑gas cooperation agreements, as domestic fuel prices have jumped roughly 50% for 95‑octane petrol and about 70% for diesel since late February, prompting warnings that energy shortages could threaten Hanoi’s growth targets and political standing. (themoscowtimes.com)
