Taiwan Probes 18 Chinese Firms for Illegally Poaching Tech Talent

Taiwanese authorities are conducting a sweeping investigation into 18 Chinese companies accused of illegally recruiting the island's high-tech talent. The probe, which began in mid-July, involves allegations of companies establishing illicit presences in Taiwan through shell companies, disguised as Taiwanese or foreign investments, or by falsely dispatching employees via human resources consultancies.

The New竹 District Prosecutors Office reported that as of the previous day, the nationwide operation had mobilized over 350 personnel. Searches were conducted at 67 locations, and 120 individuals were summoned for questioning. The New竹 prosecutors specifically executed searches at seven businesses across 12 locations, summoning 32 individuals for investigation.

Among the implicated companies are several globally renowned firms. Five are described as world leaders in their respective sectors, with three listed on stock exchanges in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Notably, Guoke Microelectronics, an IC design firm invested in by China's "National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund" and previously placed on the U.S. Commerce Department's "Military End-User" trade blacklist in November 2021, is reportedly involved.

Other companies under scrutiny include Shenzhen Tongrui Microelectronics, a leading Chinese display chip designer and manufacturer, and Yunyinggu Technology, which holds the top market share in China for AMOLED display driver chips and second globally for Micro-OLED display driver chips. Both have faced previous investigations in Taiwan but allegedly continued their illicit operations. Zhuhai Coslight Battery, a global leader in notebook, tablet, and smartphone batteries listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, also faces scrutiny for continuing to recruit high-tech personnel in Taiwan even after its representative office permit was revoked by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs. Six companies established in Taiwan by these Chinese firms are also being investigated for alleged violations of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.