Taiwanese Hi-Tech Firms Make Chongqing Tech Park Home

ProMOS Technologies Inc, Silicon Integrated Systems Corp (SiS), and Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc (ASE) have opened facilities in the Xiyong Micro-Electronics Industrial Park in the mainland Chinese city of Chongqing.

Other major Taiwanese hi-tech enterprises, including AU Optronics (AUO), Hon Hai Precision Industry, Elitegroup Computer Systems and Asustek Computer, are applying to set up shop in the park.

The park was constructed in 2005 on 30 square kilometers to build up China`s IT industry as part of the mainland`s 11th Five Year Guideline, with the park`s revenue to reach 100 billion yuan in 2010, driven mostly by chip-making, software development and outsourcing services.

ProMOS opened a 200mm wafer fab in the park in 2007, with the factory putting out 60,000 wafers of chips a month.

Last year, some 10 Taiwanese hi-tech enterprises, including ASE, signed agreements with park administration, pledging to invest in over 60 projects totaling 30 billion yuan.

The park is constructed nearby the mainland`s elite Chongqing University, which is rated No.26 in China, with the school estimated to supply the park`s enterprises 3,000 graduates every year.

Industry watchers pointed out that labor costs in Chongqing are 30 to 40 percent lower than that in the mainland`s coastal cities, making it more competitive.

Source: CENS