Vice Economics Minister Shen Jong-chin responded on Wednesday to news that a Chinese company will invest in three Taiwanese companies that test and package semiconductors. Although that sector is open to investment from China, Shen said Taiwan’s government still needs to give it the green light.
Shen was referring to a recent announcement from China’s Tsinghua Unigroup, which is controlled by Tsinghua University. The company has announced its intention of buying a 25% stake in three Taiwanese companies, including Powertech Technology, Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd. (SPIL), and ChipMOS.
Taiwan closely guards its semiconductor industry from Chinese investment. The concern is that if China acquires key technologies, it could threaten the local integrated circuit industry. But companies that deal with testing and packaging are open to investment.
Vice Economics Minister Shen said in an interview on Wednesday that the three companies still have yet to apply. And he said before they can apply they must bring it up at board meetings. Two of the companies have scheduled board meetings for January, while the third has yet to set a date.