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UMC founder no longer
an ROC citizen: reports
‘PRIVATE AFFAIR’: Robert Tsao apparently has
given up his Taiwanese passport out of frustration with a lengthy court process
for investing in a Chinese firm
Staff Writer, with CNA
File photo of Robert Tsao.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kun, Taipei Times
Reports emerged yesterday that Robert Tsao
(曹興誠), founder and former chairman of United Microelectronics Corp (UMC, 聯電),
gave up his Republic of China (ROC) citizenship and obtained Singaporean
nationality in January.
Tsao apparently changed his nationality because he was disgruntled over his
lengthy legal tribulations brought on by the semiconductor maker’s allegedly
illegal investment in a Chinese company.
Prosecutors charged Tsao in 2001 with breach of trust in violation of the
Commercial Accounting Act (商業會計法) for investing in Chinese company HeJian
Technology (Suzhou) Co.
The Taiwanese government barred local high-tech firms from interacting with
Chinese companies at the time, fearing that transfers of sensitive technology
would damage the country’s competitiveness and security.
After a lengthy litigation process, the Taiwan High Court found Tsao not guilty
last year and prosecutors decided not to appeal the court case against the
company founder.
Tsao did not answer calls yesterday and UMC would not confirm the reports that
he had changed his nationality.
“It is a private issue for Tsao. We are not in a position to comment,” UMC said.
“As Tsao is no longer involved in the operations of the company, it will not
affect the company’s operations,” it added.
The Ministry of the Interior said yesterday it would not comment on an
individual case.
According to the Nationality Act (國籍法), ROC citizens over the age of 20 who
voluntarily obtain foreign nationality will lose their ROC nationality after
receiving the ministry’s approval.
Meanwhile, Vanessa Shih (史亞平), Taiwan’s representative to Singapore, denied
yesterday she had witnessed a ceremony in which Tsao gave up his citizenship.
Shih reportedly witnessed the ceremony and then said privately that the fewer
people who knew about the matter the better so as not to embarrass President Ma
Ying-jeou (馬英九).
“I will not comment on the part regarding Mr Tsao, because it is his personal
affair, but what the media report has said about me was incorrect. I have no
idea what a ceremony to renounce nationality is and never attended such an
event,” Shih said by telephone.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHIH HSIU-CHUAN
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