Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang (施顏祥) remained tight-lipped yesterday on whether the government would lift restrictions on China-bound Taiwanese high-tech investment.
Local media speculated on Sunday that his ministry would conditionally allow thin film transistor liquid-crystal-display (TFT-LCD) display panel makers and semiconductor manufacturers to increase investments in China.
However, Shih said yesterday it was inappropriate for him to make any comment before the plan has been finalized and approved by the Cabinet.
The minister, however, told reporters that the ministry has proposed deregulatory measures that would benefit the nation’s long-term economic development.
Ministry officials were quoted on Sunday as saying that restrictions on manufacturing operations of large-sized display panels would be lifted, although the relaxation excludes proprietary technologies owned by specific companies, such as 10th-generation TFT-LCD display manufacturing technology owned by AU Optronics Corp (友達光電), one of Taiwan’s leading flat panel manufacturers.
The restrictions on the establishment of eight-inch silicon wafer foundries in China using Taiwan’s 0.18-micron process technology would also be lifted, but investments in advanced technology at the 0.13-micron level and above would still be banned, the report said.
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