China pushed to ‘poach’ Taiwan’s semiconductor technology, talent by US-China trade war, economy minister says
- Taiwan is home to a thriving and world-leading chip industry, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s biggest contract chip maker
- Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua said China’s trade war with the United States had created new risks from the ‘red supply chain’ – a reference to the colour of China’s ruling Communist Party
The China-US trade war is pushing Beijing to step up its efforts to steal technology and poach talent from Taiwan to boost its semiconductor industry’s self-sufficiency, the government of the tech-powerhouse island said on Wednesday.
Washington has taken aim at China’s tech industry during the bitter trade dispute, putting sanctions on firms including telecoms equipment giant Huawei Technologies, saying they are a threat to national security, angering Beijing.
Speaking at a parliamentary committee meeting on how to respond to the “red supply chain” – a reference to the colour of China’s ruling Communist Party – Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua said the trade war had created new risks.
Affected by the US-China technology war, the development of mainland China’s semiconductor industry has been obstructed, but they are still committed to the industry’s development
“Affected by the US-China technology war, the development of mainland China’s semiconductor industry has been obstructed, but they are still committed to the industry’s development,” she said.
“In order to achieve self-sufficiency in the supply chain, poaching and infiltration are the quickest way for mainland China to do this.”
Taiwan’s chip workers have deep experience and speak the same language, meaning they are a “natural target for poaching China has latched onto”, she added.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hu Mu-yuan, deputy head of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, said China’s efforts were a threat to not just Taiwan, but also Japan and South Korea, threatening global trade and fair competition.
03:03
Mainland China’s ban on Taiwan’s pineapple exports hurts farmers despite surge in local consumption
“Moreover, the Chinese communists are stealing other countries intellectual property to boost their own power,” he added.
Taiwan has strict laws to try and prevent this from happening, but officials have warned China tries to skirt them by setting up front companies on the island, using Taiwanese headhunters and other methods.
“Preventing Taiwan’s key technology and hi-tech personnel from being infiltrated by the ‘red supply chain’ has become an important task to protect our industry’s competitiveness and ensure our economic security,” Hu said.
