Taiwan frontrunner hits China as Foxconn probe turns election issue

• Taiwan frontrunner hits China as Foxconn probe turns election issue.
• Terry Gou is running as an independent candidate for the presidency.
• Foxconn has been actively diversifying its manufacturing operations.

Taiwan’s Vice President, Lai Ching-te, voiced his criticism of China’s investigation into Foxconn, a major Apple supplier, emphasizing that China should value Taiwanese companies and refrain from exerting pressure on them, particularly during an election period on Tuesday.

Foxconn is currently undergoing a tax probe in China, as confirmed by sources close to the company, following a report in China’s state-backed Global Times.

These sources believe that the disclosure of the investigation may have political motivations tied to Taiwan’s upcoming January elections. Terry Gou, the founder of Foxconn, is running as an independent candidate for the presidency in those elections.

The Global Times, in an English-language report, suggested that Gou’s candidacy might divide the opposition vote, potentially benefiting Lai, who is already leading in the polls.

It’s worth noting that China regards Taiwan as its own territory and disapproves of Lai, whom it views as a separatist. Lai, on the other hand, maintains that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future, and Beijing has rejected his offers for talks.

Lai, speaking at a press conference in Taipei, expressed his belief that China should “cherish and treasure” Taiwanese companies for their contributions to China’s economic development.

He further cautioned against pressuring Taiwanese firms to declare their political stances or support specific candidates during an election.

Lai also warned that if Taiwanese companies lose confidence in China or feel threatened, they may shift their production elsewhere, resulting in substantial losses for China.

Foxconn has been actively diversifying its manufacturing operations outside of China, including in places like India, which may have played a role in China’s pressure on the company.

Terry Gou has not commented on the probe, and his campaign team has directed inquiries to Foxconn, highlighting that he is no longer involved in the company’s day-to-day operations, though he remains a significant shareholder.

Foxconn, in a statement on Sunday, affirmed its commitment to legal compliance and its willingness to cooperate with relevant entities concerning the investigation.

Accusations of interference in Taiwan’s elections are not uncommon, with Taiwan frequently alleging that Beijing attempts to influence the electoral outcome through military or economic means. China’s government has not commented on the Foxconn probe.

An anonymous senior Taiwanese security source mentioned that the Chinese leadership appears displeased with the Global Times story, as it has been swiftly seized upon by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, led by Lai, to accuse China of election interference in an effort to gain more voter support.

China has not officially confirmed the probe, and it has received limited coverage in the Chinese media.

presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, former Taipei Mayor representing the Taiwan People’s Party and currently second in many polls, called on China, as a claimed global power, to clarify the investigation in a separate event.

Ko highlighted the challenge that the Taiwanese government faces in communicating with the mainland on behalf of Taiwanese companies, as China severed routine government-to-government talks with Taiwan after President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016.

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