<\/p>\n
China\u2019s probe into Foxconn \u2018political\u2019, Taiwan security chief says | Technology News<\/p>\n
Wellington Koo says tax investigation is aimed at dissuading Foxconn founder Terry Gou from running for president.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Taipei\u2019s national security chief has said a Chinese tax probe into Taiwan tech giant Foxconn is \u201cpolitical\u201d as its billionaire founder Terry Gou is running for president of the democratically ruled island.<\/p>\n Gou, who gave up Foxconn\u2019s management reins four years ago, launched his presidential bid in August as an independent candidate in Taiwan\u2019s January polls.<\/p>\n The Chinese state-run Global Times reported last month that Foxconn \u2013 one of the world\u2019s largest contract producers of electronics and a key supplier for Apple\u2019s iPhones \u2013 was under a \u201cnormal and legitimate\u201d investigation for tax and land issues by mainland authorities.<\/p>\n Chinese authorities have not confirmed the probe and Foxconn has said it will cooperate on \u201coperations concerned\u201d while urging \u201cconfidence\u201d in the company.<\/p>\n Taiwan\u2019s National Security Council head said on Monday there was a \u201cpolitical aspect\u201d to the Foxconn probe as election analysts have predicted that Gou\u2019s entry into the race could split the opposition vote.<\/p>\n \u201cThey [China] certainly don\u2019t want Terry Gou to run,\u201d Wellington Koo, whose department falls under President Tsai Ing-wen, told reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cBased on our observations, China does not want Terry Gou to split votes [within the pro-Beijing camp],\u201d he said.<\/p>\n When Gou entered the race, some critics alleged his relationship with Beijing was a cosy one given Foxconn\u2019s numerous mainland factories, but he said he had \u201cnever been under the control of the [Chinese Communist Party]\u201d.<\/p>\n Taiwan is claimed by Beijing, which dislikes the Democratic Progressive Party\u2019s government under Tsai as she has said the island does not belong to China.<\/p>\n Koo added that Foxconn has also been looking to diversify its supply chain lines away from China, which could \u201calso be a factor\u201d in prompting an investigation from Chinese authorities.<\/p>\n \u201cIf all assembly lines are moved out under the request of major US brands, the harm to China will be significant,\u201d Koo said.<\/p>\n His comments echoed others made by Taiwan\u2019s top officials, including Deputy Premier Cheng Wen-tsan, who said Taiwanese businesses in China should not be subject to \u201cpolitical interference\u201d.<\/p>\n Foxconn is China\u2019s largest private-sector employer, with more than a million workers nationwide.<\/p>\n But the country\u2019s strict COVID policies \u2013 as well as a bout of industrial unrest and ongoing diplomatic tensions with the United States \u2013 have hurt production.<\/p>\n In May, it bought a huge tract of land on the outskirts of Indian tech hub Bengaluru and has since announced plans to expand its India operations.<\/p>\n Analysts say Gou has a slim chance of winning, with DPP candidate Vice President Lai Ching-te currently in the lead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u0627\u0644\u0645\u0635\u062f\u0631<\/a>
\n
\n\u0623\u062e\u0628\u0627\u0631<\/a><\/p>\n