Security News > 2022 > April > Taiwan, China square off over chip tech espionage laws
Trouble is brewing over moves by Taiwan to prevent China from gaining access to its chip technology, as the island nation proposes tougher laws to deter the leaking of trade secrets outside the country.
China has reportedly hit back after Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang called this week for a speedier introduction of legislation designed to protect the local semiconductor industry from what it sees as Chinese industrial espionage.
These efforts by Taiwan to prevent Chinese companies from acquiring chip secrets and poaching key talent were denounced as a "Provocative smear".
Premier Su this called for the swift approval of those laws, claiming that China was stepping up its efforts to infiltrate Taiwan and gain access to its chip technology.
Taiwan is a key player in the global semiconductor industry, and is expected to account for 68 per cent of the foundry market by 2025, according to IDC, thanks to firms such as contract manufacturer TSMC. The latest moves are just the latest round of antagonism between the Middle Kingdom and Taiwan, which China regards as a rogue province.
Earlier this year it was revealed that a top US Army War College had suggested that Taiwan should threaten to destroy its semiconductor manufacturing facilities if warned with invasion by mainland China.