China
China urges Taiwan firms to show ‘responsibility’ as Foxconn probed
China is investigating Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn over tax and land irregularities, prompting Beijing to urge responsibility from Taiwanese firms operating in the country. This has raised concerns about the future of Taiwanese companies in China.
![](https://gutzymedia.s3.ap-northeast-2.amazonaws.com/wp/2023/10/17062248/329K3F8-preview-1-1.png)
BEIJING, CHINA — China on Wednesday urged Taiwanese firms operating in the country to show “responsibility”, after Beijing launched a probe into tech giant Foxconn over tax and land irregularities.
State media reported over the weekend that Foxconn — a Taiwanese firm that is one of the world’s largest contract producers of electronics and a key supplier for Apple’s iPhones — was under investigation.
It did not specify what authorities are looking into, nor any offenses that Foxconn may have committed.
Asked about the investigation on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office — which manages relations with the self-ruled island — said it was “normal law enforcement behaviour”.
“Relevant mainland authorities treat all enterprises equally and conduct compliance investigations in accordance with laws and regulations,” Zhu Fenglian told a regular press briefing, in comments carried by the state-owned nationalist tabloid the Global Times.
But, she said, “while Taiwan companies are sharing growth dividends and achieving rapid development on the mainland, they should also assume corresponding social responsibility and play an active role in promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations”.
Taipei’s vice president warned this week that Taiwanese companies based in China may be forced to relocate if they feel “unjustly pressured”.
“If they grow wary and fearful, losing trust in China, they might gradually relocate their bases to other countries,” Lai Ching-te said at a press conference.
He urged China to “cherish and value” Taiwanese businesses and not to pressure them “every time there is an election, asking them to express allegiance or even to support specific candidates”.
Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, is China’s largest private-sector employer, with more than a million workers nationwide.
— AFP
![](https://gutzy.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gutzy-Logo-whiteS.png)
-
Politics1 week ago
Jamus Lim on Minister Chee Hong Tat’s remarks on fiscal policy: Calls for genuine debate over rhetoric
-
Politics2 weeks ago
SM Lee: Singaporeans must ‘change attitudes’ as Govt promises ‘bold and necessary changes’
-
Community2 weeks ago
Toast Box faces backlash and boycott calls amid price increases
-
Media1 week ago
Notice to Our Readers: Moving Back to The Online Citizen
-
Singapore2 weeks ago
Singapore introduces new scheme in April 2025 offering up to S$6,000 in financial support for retrenched workers
-
Politics2 weeks ago
Jamus Lim raises concerns over high cost of living and its impact on Singaporeans’ sense of belonging
-
Opinion1 week ago
Chee Hong Tat’s call for fiscal prudence rings hollow amid contradictory government spending
-
Singapore2 weeks ago
Tan Suee Chieh: Sacrificing NTUC Income’s values for short-term gains undermines its foundation