TAIPEI, Taiwan － China’s Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. on Friday of last week announced its bid to purchase a 25% share in Taiwanese IC packaging and testing manufacturers Silicon Precision Industries Co., Ltd and ChipMOS Technologies Inc. for NT$66.8 billion. However, the two purchases must still be examined and approved by the shareholders and the Taiwanese government.
Taiwan’s government authorities are strictly examining Tsinghua’s investment in Spil and ChipMOS. Tsinghua Charman Zhao Weiguo announced to the media that Tsinghua’s investment in Spil and ChipMOS was unrelated to military safety and that Tsinghua will not seek to control the businesses. He also stated that since the problem of monopolization is non-existent there is no reason for the purchase not to be approved.
He also pointed out that discussions for equity cooperation with Spil and ChipMOS began in June of this year; however, they were postponed by ASE’s sudden investment in SPIL.
Zhao Weiguo said that under Tsinghua’s banner Spreadtrum and RDA Microelectronics are both Spil’s clients. He believes that Spil is an excellent company; therefore, he has long been interested in equity cooperation between the companies. However, there was not enough time to discuss the details before the incident with ASE’s investment occurred.
He emphasized that Tsinghua’s investment power will be advantageous to both Spil and ChipMOS. Through Tsingua’s investment the companies can share in the development of the IC packaging and testing sector, and there will be no need for Tsinghua to create their own IC packaging and testing. Tsinghua will also invest supportive resources into the development of Spil and ChipMOS.
(TR/ Phil Sweeney)
