Opposition party legislators yesterday urged the DPP administration to allow chipmakers to invest in China.
"Taiwan is in danger of being marginalized on the global economic stage if the government, because of its political concerns, continues to ignore China's growing market," PFP Legislator Pan Chien-kuo (
The lawmakers have just returned from a visit to China to study developments in its technology industry.
"China represents a huge potential consumer market for 3C products," Pan said, referring to the 3C sector of computers, communications, and consumer electronics.
"The fact that Taiwan doesn't make its move [in China] does not mean that other world-class manufacturing plants such as Motorola, Intel and NEC are shy about investing in China," Pan said.
"One strong impression I gathered from the visit was China's determination and pace in developing its information technology, digital content and semiconductor industries," Pan said.
"Taiwan should build on its existing technical advantages and seize the opportunity to grab its share of China's lucrative market before it is too late," Pan said.
Taiwan partially lifted its China ban on local chipmakers last March.
Companies are still restricted to standard 8-inch silicon wafer production and they must invest in more advanced 12-inch wafer technology in Taiwan.
Pan said the "correct way" for the government to salvage Taiwan's economy is to take advantage of China's growing market by lifting restrictions on Taiwan chipmakers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and United Microelectronics Corp.
Echoing Pan's remarks, Lee said, "The government should not be conservative about investing in the Chinese market.
It should help strengthen its position in relation to China to help enhance the competitiveness of all Taiwanese businesses in China."
During their seven-day stay, the group also visited Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International and Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing.
The two chip makers were accused by the Ministry of Economic Affairs last month of accepting investmentsvfrom four Taiwanese firms, including two venture capital companies -- Prudence Capital and Global Strategic Investment Fund -- that are managed by former top-ranking government officials Hsu Li-teh (徐立德), a former vice premier under Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), and Yang Shih-chien (楊世緘), vice minister of economic affairs from 1992 to 1993.
The legislators at the press conference clarified on behalf of the two semiconductor firms that all investments in the companies comes from non-Taiwanese sources.
The government strongly forbids Taiwanese investment in China's semiconductor-manufacturing sector.
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