Industrial cooperation between Taiwan and China could be jeopardized if China-based companies continue to engage in unfair competition, including the stealing of business secrets from Taiwan makers, Taiwan's vice economic minister Woody Duh has warned.
Many China-based firms' practice of raiding talent maliciously from Taiwan companies in order to acquire business secrets and manufacturing knowhow has hurt the interests of Taiwan-based companies, Duh said at a cross-strait industrial cooperation forum held in Hsinchu on November 21.
Duh was apparently referring to a lawsuit filed by AU Optronics (AUO) in October accusing two of its former executives of leaking technologies, including those for the production of AMOLED panels, to China Star Optoelectrnics Technology (CSOT), a subsidiary of TCL.
The China government should apply its policy tools to restrain its enterprises and research organizations from raiding key talent from Taiwan companies so that the two sides can accumulate more resources for mutual, long-term development, Duh urged.
Duh also called for cross-strait cooperation in major industries including the semiconductor, LED lighting and display sectors, through division of labor or joint ventures to avoid conflicts in short-term interests, while sustaining long-term mutual benefits.
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is currently reviewing its policy for opening Taiwan further to China investment. Although some local media reported earlier that the policy would be finalized before the end of October, the MOEA has not yet come up with concrete measures.
