HindustanTimes.com Taiwan plans to restrict high-tech engineers from working in China
AP Taipei, Taiwan, April 18 Taiwanese engineers who design semiconductors, missiles, jet fighters and submarines may be barred from working in rival China, the government said on Thursday. The restrictions are part of a comprehensive plan to prevent China from gaining access to technologies developed in Taiwan, the National Science Council said in a statement. Taiwan has been particularly concerned about losing engineers from its leading semiconductor industry, a sector that China hopes to take over. Under the plan drafted by the science council, engineers involved in computer chip design or in lithography _ a key process in the development of silicon wafer technogies - could be barred from working in China, the statement said. People involved in the development of anesthetics might also be barred, it said. The Council will send the plan to the Cabinet next week for approval, the statement said. Taiwanese have poured an estimated U.S. dlrs 60 billion of investment in China in the past decade. Taiwan fears the investment rush could weaken the local economy while giving a boost to its rival's economy. Bowing to business pressure, Taiwan eased a ban last month to allow Taiwanese chipmakers to make less advanced silicon wafers in China. However, the firms must first invest in making the cutting-edge 12-inch wafers in Taiwan before they will be allowed to move their older equipment to make less advanced chips in China. Send your feedback at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ©Hindustan Times Ltd. 1997. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without prior permission.
