Chinese authorities have launched investigations into several sites of Foxconn Technology Group, the world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer and a key supplier of Apple’s iPhones. The probe, focusing on tax and land use issues, encompasses Foxconn’s facilities in southern Guangdong province and Jiangsu in the east, as well as its land use in central Hunan and Hubei provinces. While the specifics of the investigation remain undisclosed, the timing, just months before Taiwan’s presidential elections, has sparked concerns about political motives.
Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, responded to the allegations, stating, “Compliance with the law is a basic principle for our group worldwide.” The company pledged active cooperation with relevant authorities but refrained from divulging further details. This development comes at a crucial juncture for Taiwan as it prepares for its upcoming elections in January.
Critics have questioned the investigation’s timing, linking it to the political landscape in Taiwan. Foxconn’s founder, billionaire Terry Gou Tai-ming, who has distanced himself from the company to pursue an independent candidacy in the 2024 presidential elections, has faced scrutiny. Gou, who failed to secure the opposition Kuomintang party’s nomination in 2019, is perceived by some as having close ties with mainland China’s leadership. Despite these allegations, Gou has asserted his independence from Beijing’s influence.
The Taiwanese government swiftly came to Foxconn’s defense, emphasizing that Taiwanese businesses should be shielded from “political interference.” Deputy Premier Cheng Wen-tsan criticized Beijing’s actions, stating, “We do not want Chinese factors to influence the elections.” Premier Chen Chien-jen echoed these sentiments, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting Taiwanese businesses amidst the ongoing investigations.
Foxconn, renowned for its massive workforce and technological prowess, operates as China’s largest private-sector employer, employing over a million workers nationwide. Its importance in the global electronics supply chain adds weight to the concerns surrounding the investigation’s potential impact on the industry.
As the situation unfolds, the international community remains watchful, observing the developments in both the investigations and the upcoming Taiwanese elections.
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(via)
