Guo Taiming, the founder of Taiwan Foxconn, held a press conference in Taipei last August and announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in next year's presidential election. [Image source=Yonhap News]
After Chinese authorities launched a tax investigation into Foxconn's mainland China company, the largest Apple partner based in Taiwan, Taiwan's Vice President warned that "if they feel unfair pressure, they may relocate outside of China."
According to foreign media including Taiwan's Liberty Times on the 24th, Lai Ching-te, the Vice President and presidential candidate of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, stated at a press conference that "China should cherish and value Taiwanese companies."
Vice President Lai said, "Taiwanese companies are important assets to China," adding, "They not only help China's economic development but also create many jobs."
He continued, "If Taiwanese companies lose trust in China and become more cautious, they will relocate to other countries to establish production bases," emphasizing, "This would be a great loss for China."
Some interpret China's recent tax investigation as an act aimed at influencing Taiwan's presidential election scheduled for January 13 next year. It is analyzed as an attempt to check Foxconn's founder, prevent the pro-China candidate's faction from splitting, and even harm Apple.
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