Executive Yuan to list Mainland China in hi-tech commodities restricted regions
E020328Y5 Apr. 2002（E32）
In response to the unleashing of 8-inch wafer chip fabs in Mainland China, the government has, pursuant to Article 13 of the Foreign Trade Act, authorized the Ministry of Economic Affairs to list Mainland China in the regions where the exportation of specific strategic hi-tech goods is restricted. In the meantime, semiconductor equipment using 0.25-micron process and under for the manufacture of 8-inch wafers will be added to restricted goods.
At present, the regions where exportation of specific hi-tech goods is restricted are North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Libya. As a result of the dispute over whether to open up the establishment of 8-in wafer chip fabs in Mainland China, the Executive Yuan will move Mainland China from non-restricted regions to restricted regions, making the fifth country in the list.
According to the MOEA's Regulations Governing the Export and Import of Specific strategic Hi-Tech Commodities, export/import of strategic hi-tech commodities must apply for permission from the MOEA, which shall, in conjunction with relevant government authorities (agencies), form a special task force exclusively to verify questionable export/import of strategic high-tech commodities, and to investigate the destination and purpose of export/import of such commodities. Any violation thereof can be criminally punished with imprisonment for up to two years in conjunction with a fine of NT$300,000.
Source: Commercial Times 03/28/2002
