Taiwanese tycoon to sue Chinese officials for imposing sanctions
Nov 11, 2024
Taipei [Taiwan], November 11 : Taiwanese tycoon Robert Tsao, the retired founder of United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), has declared his intention to sue senior Chinese officials for sanctions imposed against him due to his outspoken support for Taiwan's independence Voice of America (VOA) reported.
Tsao, one of Taiwan's wealthiest individuals, has been sanctioned by China's Taiwan Affairs Office, which accused him of being linked to the "Black Bear Academy" -- an organisation allegedly promoting separatism and endangering cross-strait relations.
However, Tsao strongly rejected these allegations, stating that the sanctions were part of China's broader attempt to suppress the lawful political views of those supporting Taiwan's independence.
The businessman emphasised that China's move was aimed at silencing the voices of pro-independence advocates in Taiwan. Tsao announced that he would file a lawsuit in Taiwan against Song Tao, head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, and the office's spokesperson, Chen Binhua, reported VOA.
While Tsao's lawyer, Cheng Wen-lung, acknowledged that Taiwan's courts cannot exercise jurisdiction over Chinese officials and that enforcement would be impossible without their physical presence on the island, he emphasised the symbolic nature of the lawsuit.
"We have to do this legally. Taiwan is in a difficult spot, but we have to work hard. You cannot do anything," Cheng stated.
In addition to the Taiwanese legal action, Tsao is also considering suing these Chinese officials in the United States under the Alien Tort Claims Act, which allows foreign nationals to sue for violations of international law, VOA reported.
The sanctions came at a time of growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Recently, China conducted a large-scale military exercise near Taiwan, which it described as a warning to "separatist acts" and any moves toward Taiwan's independence.
This escalation in military activity has further strained relations between Taiwan and China, which has vowed to take strong measures against any moves that might push Taiwan closer to declaring independence.
