Taiwan accuses China of illegally poaching talent from tech companies

Taiwan authorities have accused Chinese semiconductor manufacturers of “illegally poaching” talent and trying to gain access to trade secret information. An investigation last month found eight Chinese companies violating Taiwanese law.

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Chinese electronics makers’ efforts to poach workers from Taiwanese companies highlight intensifying global competition to develop key technologies used in smartphones, cars and artificial intelligence. One of the violators of Taiwan’s laws was Naura Technology Group Co., which is a supplier of components for the largest Chinese chip manufacturer Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.

Taiwan said in a statement that Naura illegally hired engineers from local companies working on semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Beijing-based Naura, commenting on this issue, said that the company’s office in Taiwan “was opened in accordance with local laws and regulations.” They also denied accusations of violating local laws.

It is noted that China continues to actively invest in the development of its own semiconductor industry, despite US attempts to limit the growth of the industry in the country. Against this background, American authorities are introducing more and more restrictive measures, and are also trying to convince their allies, such as Japan and the Netherlands, to do the same.