By Chris Wang / Staff reporter
The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) said yesterday that its three lawmakers are to vote against the two nominees who did not oppose the use of Chinese-made telecom equipment in the nation’s new fourth-generation (4G) communication network.
The TSU caucus says it will not endorse Tu Jenn-hwa (杜震華) and Wong Po-tsung (翁柏宗) for nominees in National Communications Commission (NCC) review today in the legislature.
The two refused to pledge their opposition to telecom equ
ipment made by Chinese manufacturer Huawei Technologies Co in a meeting of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, caucus whip Lai Cheng-chang (賴振昌) told a press conference.
The party said it would approve the qualification of Katherine Chen (陳憶寧), who expressed concerns over national security when she was questioned.
Controversy surrounding the procurement, or use of telecom equipment made in China by local companies, which has long been restricted under law, stemmed from Hon Hai Technology Group chairman Terry Gou’s (郭台銘) recent remarks.
Gou allegedly said he would stop paying taxes if one of his subsidiaries, Ambit Microsystems, was prohibited from using Huawei-made equipment in Hon Hai’s establishment of its 4G communication network.
Gou is reported as saying that he would personally guarantee that the use of Huawei-made equipment for Ambit Microsystem’s 4G network would not threaten national security.
Many countries, including Australia, the UK and the US, have banned the use of Huawei’s equipment because of national security concerns due to the company’s alleged links to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lai said, adding that Hon Hai should also be wary of the conflict of interests in its business ties with Huawei.