China has proposed what it describes as a guarantee of energy security to Taiwan, on the condition that the island accepts “reunification” with Beijing amid growing global energy instability caused by the ongoing Middle East war.

The proposal was announced by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, with spokesperson Chen Binhua stating that Taiwan would benefit from “stable and reliable energy and resource security” under the backing of what he called a “strong motherland.”

Beijing’s offer comes at a time when global energy markets are under pressure due to disruptions in key supply routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, forcing countries to scramble for alternative fuel sources.

Taiwan, which relies heavily on imported liquefied natural gas and previously sourced a significant portion from Qatar, has moved quickly to secure alternative supplies, especially from the United States. Authorities in Taipei insist that energy needs for the coming months are already covered.

Taiwanese leadership has also rejected China’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that the island’s future can only be decided by its people. No major political party in Taiwan supports Beijing’s long-standing “one country, two systems” proposal tied to reunification.

Analysts say the latest move reflects China’s broader strategy of leveraging economic and security incentives to push for reunification, particularly at a time when global crises; such as the Middle East conflict, are exposing vulnerabilities in energy supply chains.

Despite the offer, tensions remain high across the Taiwan Strait, with Taiwan continuing to strengthen its energy diversification strategy while resisting political pressure from Beijing.

Operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were brought to a complete standstill on Wednesday following a one-day strike by service workers, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded.

The industrial action, organised by Germany’s Verdi labour union, forced the cancellation of all scheduled arrivals and departures, affecting approximately 57,000 travellers and grounding about 445 flights.

Airport authorities confirmed that no regular passenger flights could operate during the strike, citing disruptions across critical services including fire safety, air traffic operations, and terminal management.

The strike is part of an ongoing dispute over wages, with the union representing around 2,000 airport employees demanding better pay amid rising living costs. Union officials described the action as a direct response to what they called the employers’ failure to present a meaningful offer during negotiations.

Airport management, however, criticised the move as disproportionate, warning that it severely disrupted travel plans and added pressure to an already strained aviation sector.

Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for rebooking or refunds, as the shutdown left many scrambling for alternative travel arrangements.

The strike is expected to be temporary, with further negotiations between the union and employers scheduled for later in March.

Nigeria and Sweden have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in trade, technology, energy, and the creative industries.

The announcement came during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Anna Westerholm, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Both sides emphasized the importance of trade, investment, and partnerships as central pillars of their engagement.

Ambassador Westerholm highlighted Sweden’s readiness to support Nigeria’s green and digital transition, focusing on digital infrastructure, innovation, and technology development. She also stressed potential collaboration in the energy sector and the cultural and creative industries, noting Nigeria’s global influence in Afrobeats and creative talent. Sweden plans to leverage its expertise in music production and business models to strengthen the partnership.

The Swedish Trade Office in Lagos, recently upgraded and led by a government-appointed Trade Commissioner, reflects Sweden’s commitment to boosting commercial engagement in Nigeria.

Minister Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to democratic governance, regional cooperation through ECOWAS, and addressing security and development challenges across the Sahel and West Africa. Both nations agreed to continue high-level consultations and explore additional avenues for cooperation.

The Swedish State Secretary is expected to visit Nigeria next week for further discussions on deepening trade and partnership initiatives.