American Invest Hub
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Latest News

American Invest Hub

  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Latest News
Business

Taiwan probes 11 Chinese firms, alleges SMIC poached engineers

by admin March 29, 2025
March 29, 2025
Taiwan probes 11 Chinese firms, alleges SMIC poached engineers

Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) has accused China’s largest chipmaker, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), of illegally hiring Taiwanese semiconductor professionals.

The allegations form part of a broader investigation into 11 Chinese enterprises suspected of poaching talent from Taiwan’s chip sector.

The probe highlights rising tensions in the global semiconductor industry, where competition for engineering expertise has intensified following US restrictions on China’s access to advanced chipmaking equipment.

Investigators claim that SMIC secretly operated a subsidiary in Taiwan using a Samoa-based shell company to mask its origins and avoid regulatory oversight.

The operation allegedly targeted highly skilled engineers in an attempt to bolster China’s domestic chipmaking ambitions.

SMIC linked to shell firm in Taiwan

The MJIB said that SMIC created a subsidiary in Taiwan “under the guise of foreign investment,” using a company registered in Samoa as a front.

The firm is accused of recruiting local chip engineers while bypassing the legal requirements for foreign direct investment.

Taiwanese authorities began their investigation in December 2024.

Since then, law enforcement officials have searched 34 locations linked to the 11 Chinese firms and questioned 90 individuals connected to the suspected recruitment network.

A special task force was first established by the MJIB in late 2020 to track allegations of unauthorised hiring practices by mainland Chinese companies.

Authorities claim that Chinese firms often operate covertly, sometimes posing as Taiwanese, overseas Chinese, or foreign-backed enterprises to avoid detection and bypass Taiwanese legal restrictions.

In some cases, employment agencies have been used to funnel job offers to Taiwanese engineers.

US chip restrictions heighten race for talent

The investigation into SMIC comes amid escalating efforts by China to close its technology gap in chip production.

China’s ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in semiconductors has gained urgency since the US placed SMIC on its export blacklist in 2020.

This action effectively cut the company off from advanced chipmaking tools provided by companies like ASML, a key Dutch supplier of extreme ultraviolet lithography machines.

In 2023, SMIC made headlines when it was identified as the manufacturer of the 7-nanometre chip used in Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro smartphone.

The product raised concerns among US officials who questioned how the company had developed such a chip despite facing export bans on critical equipment.

SMIC has not publicly commented on the latest allegations made by Taiwan’s MJIB.

China faces chip talent restrictions

Taiwan continues to dominate the global semiconductor manufacturing industry.

The island is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s most advanced contract chipmaker.

TSMC produces chips for tech giants such as Apple and Nvidia, and its technological edge has made Taiwan a strategic focal point in the global supply chain.

The US has moved to reinforce this strategic partnership, encouraging TSMC to expand its manufacturing capacity on American soil.

Washington has also been active in shielding Taiwan’s chip sector from Chinese recruitment and acquisition attempts, in a bid to secure supply chains and reduce dependency on Chinese tech.

The MJIB’s latest crackdown demonstrates Taiwan’s determination to protect its semiconductor workforce from what it calls “illegal poaching”.

The scale of the investigation, which involved 34 searches and 90 interviews, signals that authorities are escalating their efforts to counter foreign recruitment activities deemed harmful to national security and industrial competitiveness.

The post Taiwan probes 11 Chinese firms, alleges SMIC poached engineers appeared first on Invezz

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Why did activist investor Elliott build a short position in Shell stock?
next post
Short DE40: bearish momentum intensifies as key support levels weaken amid economic and technical pressures

Related Posts

Asian markets close: Sensex up 769 pts; Nikkei...

May 23, 2025

Workers earning up to $58K a year could...

April 27, 2024

US spot Ethereum ETFs see highest daily inflows;...

November 30, 2024

New CEO- is that what Apple stock needs...

July 12, 2025

These 2 emerging markets stocks could return 50%...

December 14, 2024

This stock could nearly double your money in...

February 9, 2025

L’Oréal shifts focus from China to a ‘land...

February 8, 2025

Trump-linked WLFI secures $590 million, claiming a spot...

March 15, 2025

Canoo stock analysis: the end is nearing for...

November 4, 2024

China-linked hackers target US Treasury through compromised software...

December 31, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest News

    • How Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown may tank the labor market

      August 4, 2025
    • Trump’s tariff threat looms over India’s Russian oil deals

      August 4, 2025
    • Trump moves nuclear submarines near Russia: what triggered the move and what’s ahead

      August 3, 2025
    • BOE rate cuts offer little relief as UK households face mounting financial strain

      August 3, 2025
    • Retail investors shift focus to Europe as US valuations stretch

      August 3, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (3,573)
    • Investing (2,700)
    • Latest News (2,031)
    • Politics (1,530)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: americaninvesthub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 americaninvesthub.com | All Rights Reserved