Taiwan Investigates 11 Chinese Firms in Semiconductor Talent Poaching

Taiwan is investigating 11 Chinese firms for alleged illegal poaching of semiconductor and other high-tech talent.

The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau announced the probe in an official statement released on March 30.

More than 185 agents searched 49 locations and questioned 90 people between March 16 and 26, according to the bureau.

The coordinated operation targeted Chinese companies suspected of recruiting Taiwanese engineers without approval.

The firms allegedly disguised their mainland Chinese ownership by setting up operations under names of foreign-funded shell firms or by establishing unauthorized offices.

Taiwanese law prohibits Chinese investment in certain parts of the semiconductor supply chain, including chip design, and requires reviews for other areas such as chip packaging.

The companies under investigation include electronics manufacturer Huaqin Technology, mobile power device maker Anker Innovations, semiconductor and printed circuit board equipment producer Hefei Circuit Fabology Microelectronics Equipment, power semiconductor manufacturer Yangjie Electronic Technology, and chip designer SG Micro.

There was no immediate public response from the companies to the allegations.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims and maintains that only its people can decide the island’s future.

China’s demand for chip talent has grown as Beijing seeks self-reliance in advanced semiconductors amid deepening tech rivalry with the United States.

Taiwan holds a leading global position in advanced semiconductors and integrated circuit design, key technologies for artificial intelligence.

A special task force set up by the bureau in late 2020 has handled more than 100 similar cases of suspected illegal recruitment and business activities by Chinese companies.

Planning for the latest operation began in August 2025 after evidence was collected.

The action was directed by prosecutors from five district offices in Taipei, New Taipei, Shilin, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu, involving six field investigation units.

The targeted sectors are critical to Taiwan’s national competitiveness in the global AI wave, where core talent faces increasing poaching pressure.