Taiwan has added two Chinese technology giants – Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) – to its export control list. The list also includes banned organizations such as the Taliban and Al Qaeda. From now on, Taiwanese companies will have to obtain government approval to export products to these organizations. Reuters reports.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said the decision was made for national security and non-proliferation reasons. A total of 601 companies have been newly listed, including companies from China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Myanmar.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on Sunday that the updated list of entities subject to export control for strategic high-tech products includes companies from Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Myanmar and mainland China that are listed for alleged involvement in arms proliferation. With the new additions, the total number of entities and individuals listed has reached 10,844.
The administration said the list was updated to align with the sanctions and controls lists of the United Nations Security Council and Taiwan’s allies, meaning they are consistent with international export control systems, state media Focus Taiwan and the Ministry of Economy reported.
Local manufacturers interested in exporting to the listed companies are urged to obtain prior approval or a license from the International Trade Administration for the export of strategic high-tech products.
Taiwan’s move comes at a time when the United States and allies are imposing similar restrictions on Chinese technology companies.