The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) says it will strictly review a Chinese conglomerate’s plan to invest in three Taiwanese firms that test and package semiconductors. That was the word from IDB Director-General Wu Ming-ji on Saturday.
The Beijing-based Tsinghua Unigroup's plan to invest in Taiwan has attracted public attention. That's because of government concerns about the long-term impact the plan may have on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. Tsinghua Unigroup so far plans to invest in Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Powertech Technology Inc., and ChipMOS.
Wu said that the government has opened up Taiwan’s IC testing and packaging providers to Chinese investors. But he said that this does not mean all investment projects will be approved. Wu said that the government's policy of opening up to Chinese investors is conditional.
The Investment Commission said Friday that there is only a slim chance the government will approve Tsinghua Unigroup's plans to invest in all three firms. The commission said this is because the firms represent three of Taiwan's four big IC testing and packaging providers.