TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (陸委會), the government body overseeing cross-strait relations, announced Thursday (Aug. 7) that the island will impose stringent reviews on Chinese electric vehicle brands. The announcement specifically targets BYD (比亞迪), which plans to enter Taiwan through Taikoo Motors (太古汽車集團) using its Denza (騰勢) brand, citing national security and cybersecurity concerns.
Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) addressed the BYD situation during a routine press conference Thursday (Aug. 7), clarifying that Taikoo Motors has not submitted applications to invite Chinese business representatives to Taiwan. Liang explained that BYD representatives who are not Chinese nationals may enter Taiwan without requiring special government approval for their visit.
Liang addressed the competitive pricing of Chinese electric vehicles, explaining that substantial government subsidies in China have created overproduction in the electric vehicle sector. This overproduction has resulted in extremely low-priced vehicles that could potentially lead to dumping practices in international markets. The deputy minister also emphasized critical cybersecurity concerns, questioning how user data collected by these connected vehicles might be utilized once deployed on Taiwan's roads.
Liang endorsed the Ministry of Economic Affairs' (經濟部) position, asserting that Taiwan's government must implement comprehensive high-level reviews for all Chinese vehicle brands seeking market entry. The deputy minister emphasized the government's fundamental responsibility to safeguard national security, ensure vehicle safety standards, protect information security, and preserve domestic industrial development through these rigorous evaluation processes.