Taiwan is risking lowering its status among the US government's high-technology export countries if it continues to relax regulations regarding the export of high-tech know-how and skills to China, Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) lawmakers warned yesterday.
Meanwhile, the caucus also requested an apology from United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) chairman Robert Tsao (
According to TSU Legislator David Huang (
Group B refers to countries which do not pose a threat to the US and world peace. Countries listed in Group C are considered to pose a threat to the US' national security.
TSU Lawmaker Mark Ho (
"Until the UMC case is thoroughly investigated and settled, the government should rein in its enthusiasm for relaxing high-tech investment regulations," he said.
"While the government boasts its `active opening-up and effective management' (
Ho made the remarks yesterday morning after holding an hour-long closed-door meeting with Mainland Affairs Council and National Security Bureau officials to discuss the UMC matter and its impact on national security.
TSU caucus whip Lo Chih-ming (
"The UMC case has made the US government question the government's ability to effectively manage the export of high-tech knowhow and equipment," Lo said.
"The case reflects the incompetence of the National Security Bureau and the Mainland Affairs Council," he said.
Lo also pledged to push the passage of a technology-protection bill during this legislative session, which is scheduled to convene on Friday.
"If any other legislative caucuses boycott the bill and stall the legislation process, we will make public the names of those lawmakers opposing the bill and let them face the public's criticism in their constituencies," he said.
In addition to supporting Huang's opinion, TSU Legislator Tseng Tsan-teng (
"If he doesn't apologize within three days, we will follow with a lawsuit," he said.
"Although there are not many of us, we are committed to protect the nation's security," he said.
Tseng also called on the government to suspend approving more local wafer manufacturers' requests for establishing factories in China, unless the nation is ready to export its sensitive technology skills.
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