Recently, the Global Times reported exclusively on the investigation of companies under Foxconn Group, the parent company of Hon Hai Group. According to reports, the tax authorities in Guangdong and Jiangsu have launched tax inspections on key companies owned by Foxconn in these regions, while the natural resources department is conducting on-site investigations of Foxconn's key enterprises in Henan and Hubei.
This matter has attracted high attention from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, because it comes at a critical time for cross-strait relations, with Hon Hai Group founder Terry Gou's "independent candidacy" being criticized for allegedly guaranteeing Lai Ching-te's election victory.
It is worth noting that Foxconn began investing in mainland China in 1988 and now has over 40 industrial parks in the mainland, with employee numbers reaching over one million at its peak. In response to the tax and land inspections, Hon Hai Group, Foxconn's parent company, released a statement on October 22, stating that "legal compliance is the basic principle for Hon Hai Group worldwide. The Group will actively cooperate with relevant departments in their investigations."
Clearly, both the mainland and Foxconn are extremely important to each other. The mainland provides Foxconn with a large labor force and market, while Foxconn has helped the mainland in its modernization process.
However, why have some voices on the island claimed that the mainland's actions have "political reasons"? This brings us back to Terry Gou's independent candidacy.
After leaving the Kuomintang, Terry Gou announced his independent candidacy for the leader of the Taiwan region. From this perspective, having more people competing for the position of leader of the Taiwan region is good for the lives of the people on the island and for cross-strait relations, as there can be more comparison and contrast.
However, looking at the current situation of the Taiwan region's election, things are not so optimistic. Although the Democratic Progressive Party has been criticized and attacked for its stance on cross-strait relations, Lai Ching-te, who represents the Democratic Progressive Party, still ranks first in the polls.
It is widely believed that only the "blue and white" alliance between the Kuomintang's Hou Yu-yi and the People First Party's Ko Wen-je could beat "Taiwanese independence" supporter Lai Ching-te, injecting a positive factor into cross-strait relations and the future of the Taiwan region.
However, even if the Kuomintang and the People First Party did join forces, it is not certain that they could defeat the Democratic Progressive Party.
In the current fiercely competitive situation on the island, Terry Gou's independent candidacy appears to offer new choices for the people of the island. But in reality, with his wealth and influence, he would greatly divide the votes of the Kuomintang and the People First Party.
To put it in a familiar idiom, "united we stand, divided we fall". If the opposition parties in the island are not united and instead "go their own way" against the stubborn "Taiwanese independence" forces, it is highly likely that they will be picked off one by one by the Democratic Progressive Party.
Therefore, Terry Gou's independent candidacy is seen as an assist to Lai Ching-te, who is expected to be elected with ease. Terry Gou knows full well that he is unlikely to be elected. If he is solely seeking personal financial gain, people may be more accepting of him.
However, if Terry Gou actually teamed up with Lai Ching-te and the Democratic Progressive Party, helping them win the position of leader of the Taiwan region in 2024, he would truly be a national sinner.
The mainland's move against Foxconn could be seen as a warning. At present, their actions have not been very forceful, but hopefully Terry Gou can understand the subtle implication and share in the dividends of the mainland while taking on his social responsibilities.
Just as the Taiwan Affairs Office has emphasized before when investigating the Far Eastern Group, a key supporter of "Taiwanese independence," we will continue to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots and enterprises on the mainland, but we will never allow people who undermine cross-strait relations to make money on the mainland. We will not allow any "eating and smashing the pot" incidents to happen!