United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) founder Robert Tsao (曹興誠) yesterday said he would take legal action in Taiwan against senior Chinese officials over sanctions they had placed on him, saying he was seeking to counter China’s intimidation of lawful activity.
China last month said it would punish and sanction Tsao for alleged criminal and pro-Taiwanese independence activities.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) said the Kuma Academy that Tsao has helped fund was seeking to incite separatism that would endanger cross-strait ties.
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE
Tsao, one of Taiwan’s richest men, who has pledged to provide millions to two civilian defense training programs, told a news conference that China was threatening the lawful holding of political views in Taiwan and his personal safety.
The lawsuit would be filed in a Taipei court against TAO Director Song Tao (宋濤) and TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華).
Taiwanese courts have no jurisdiction in China and senior Chinese officials do not visit the nation.
The TAO did not respond to a request for comment.
Cheng Wen-lung (鄭文龍), one of Tsao’s lawyers, said they knew neither Song nor Chen would come to Taiwan and there would be no way of enforcing any judgement, but the case was about sending a message to Beijing given it has been seeking to use legal means to put pressure on Taiwanese it does not like.
“Legally, we have to do this,” Cheng said. “Taiwan is in a difficult spot, but we have to work hard. You cannot not do anything.”
Tsao’s team is also looking at suing in a US court under that country’s Alien Tort Claims Act.
China’s announcement against Tsao came as the country’s military staged a day of war games around Taiwan it said were a warning to “separatist acts.”
UMC said Tsao has nothing to do with the company anymore, as he retired a decade ago.
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