Taiwanese prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Pete Lau , the CEO of Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus , accusing him of engaging in illegal business and recruitment activities on the island . According to the Shilin District Prosecutors' Office, the case involves violating the law governing Taiwan's relations with China , a particularly strict framework due to the sensitive geopolitical situation.
Prosecutors also indicted two Taiwanese citizens, who allegedly helped OnePlus' CEO operate an illegal business and recruit more than 70 workers without the required licenses.
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Research and development "under the radar"
According to official documents, the employees hired in Taiwan were involved in research and development, software verification and application testing for OnePlus smartphones. These are high-value-added areas in which Taiwan is considered a global hub of expertise.
The document was first leaked to local media, sparking a backlash in both the political and tech worlds. So far, neither OnePlus nor parent Oppo have commented, and Lau himself could not be reached for comment.
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OnePlus, Oppo and the Shenzhen ecosystem
OnePlus is based in Shenzhen, China, and has operated as an independent subsidiary of OppoAlthough the company has built an international profile as a premium smartphone manufacturer, this case hurts its image at a time when technology companies are under the microscope of governments around the world.
Taiwan – China: Technology in a political minefield
The case cannot be separated from the broader political context. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Taipei categorically rejects these claims, supporting the right of its people to self-determination. In this climate, Taiwan's technological superiority – particularly in semiconductors and software engineering – makes it a strategic target.
See also: Taiwan bans Chinese app RedNote for a year
The country's authorities accuse Chinese companies of using shell companies, registered in Hong Kong or abroad, as well as recruitment agencies, in order to hide their real identity and circumvent the law.
The war for talent has just begun
This is not the first time Taiwan has faced such practices. In August 2025, authorities announced an investigation into 16 Chinese companies for allegedly “poaching” talent in the semiconductor and high-tech sectors. Concerns about the leakage of critical know-how are growing, especially at a time when technology has become a weapon of geopolitical power.
The OnePlus case clearly shows that the competition for human capital is now as critical as the battle for markets. And in this game, the lines between business strategy and national security are becoming increasingly blurred.
Source: www.reuters.com
