The government is considering allowing semiconductor-packaging and testing companies such as Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc (
The Mainland Affairs Council, Ministry of Economic Affairs and National Science Council have to approve the applications.
Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san (
The government is poised to lift the ban on Taiwanese semiconductor testers and packagers setting up plants in China in a move to help domestic companies safeguard their leading market position, a government official told the Taipei Times late last month.
"We intend to relax the restriction," Chang Ming-pin (
Chang said the government was close to completing an evaluation report regarding the matter, giving no time frame, however.
But Gordon Chen (
China has stepped up its criticism of Taiwan independence sympathizers since President Chen Shui-bian (
"China mustn't come up with further hitches," Chiu said. "It's not appropriate for us to make a policy announcement to liberalize mainland investment at such a time. Legislators would take issue with us."
Advanced Semiconductor, the world's second-largest chip packaging service provider, and smaller rival Siliconware Precision provide services for companies placing orders with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電) and United Microelectronics Corp (聯電).
Advanced Semiconductor said in 2002 it plans to build a US$300 million chip-assembly plant in Shanghai when Taiwan ends a ban on such technology investments in China.
With additional reporting by Lisa Wang
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