Taiwan's Economic Shift: Are Taiwanese Businesses Leaving Mainland China?

Cross-Strait Trade Dynamics Under the Microscope: Assessing the Exodus of Taiwanese Businesses from China.

The evolving economic relationship between Taiwan and mainland China remains a topic of significant interest. In a recent interview, ROC's (Republic of China) SEF (Straits Exchange Foundation) Deputy Chairman and Secretary-General, Lo Wen-chia (羅文嘉), provided insights into the current situation, suggesting a considerable shift in the presence of Taiwanese businesses in mainland China.

During an interview, Lo Wen-chia (羅文嘉) indicated that many Taiwanese businesses, or Taishang (台商), have already significantly reduced their operations in mainland China. The estimate suggests that the remaining Taishang presence might be as low as a quarter or even a fifth of what it was at its peak.

This development is particularly relevant in the context of President Lai's proposed "Taiwan First" economic strategy, which aims to strategically restructure Taiwan's economic ties with mainland China. Lo Wen-chia (羅文嘉), discussing how to implement this strategy, highlighted the significant reduction in the number of Taishang operating in China, underscoring a potential economic decoupling.