Taiwan Investigates Chinese Chipmakers for Illegal Engineer Poaching
Taiwan is investigating 11 Chinese tech firms for illegally recruiting engineers, a move that threatens its semiconductor industry's integrity.
Published on March 29, 2025
Taiwan authorities are probing 11 Chinese technology firms, including SMIC and Ark Microelectronics, over allegations of illegally recruiting Taiwanese engineers without government approval. Since 2020, these companies have been accused of bypassing strict domestic regulations to secure critical expertise in semiconductor technology, an issue that Taiwan says is severely impacting its high-tech industry.
Recent reports, including those from Reuters and Bloomberg Law on March 28, 2025, indicate that the investigation has intensified, with raids conducted at company offices in a bid to uncover further evidence of illicit recruitment practices. These efforts highlight Taiwan’s determination to protect its technological edge and ensure adherence to regulatory standards amid increasing cross-strait tensions.