Taiwan Issues Arrest Warrant for OnePlus CEO Over Alleged Illegal Recruitment Activities

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Taiwanese prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Pete Lau, the chief executive officer of Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus, accusing him of involvement in illegal business operations and recruitment activities in Taiwan. The move underscores Taiwan’s growing scrutiny of Chinese technology companies amid concerns over talent poaching and technology outflows.

According to Taiwan’s Shilin District Prosecutors Office, two Taiwanese citizens have been indicted for allegedly assisting Lau in illegally operating a business presence in Taiwan and recruiting more than 70 local employees on behalf of OnePlus. Prosecutors said these actions violated Taiwanese laws that regulate cross-strait relations between Taiwan and China.

The investigation found that more than 70 employees were hired in Taiwan to carry out smartphone software application research and development, verification, and testing for OnePlus. Authorities claim the recruitment and operations were conducted without proper approval, making them illegal under current regulations governing Chinese business activities on the island.

OnePlus is headquartered in Shenzhen, a major technology hub in southern China. The company became an independent sub-brand under Oppo in 2021, according to information published on its official website. Neither Oppo nor OnePlus immediately responded to requests for comment, and Reuters reported it was unable to reach Pete Lau for a response.

The case comes against the backdrop of heightened political and economic tensions between Taiwan and China. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control, while Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims and maintains that only its people can determine the island’s future.

Taiwan’s strong technology ecosystem and highly skilled workforce have long attracted interest from Chinese companies seeking talent, particularly in software and semiconductor fields. Taiwanese authorities have increasingly moved to block such efforts, alleging that some companies use shell firms registered in Hong Kong or other foreign jurisdictions, or rely on recruitment agencies to conceal their links to China.

In August 2025, Taiwanese authorities announced investigations into 16 Chinese companies suspected of illegally poaching semiconductor and high-tech talent, highlighting growing concerns over national security and the protection of critical technologies.