Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD may be planning to enter the Taiwan market through local distributor Swire Motors Group under the “Denza” brand name, according to Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). The government agency emphasized that all Chinese automotive brands seeking to enter Taiwan must undergo rigorous security reviews.
MAC Deputy Chairman and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh announced these positions during a routine press conference on the 7th. He stated that the council had not yet found any applications from Swire Motors to invite mainland Chinese business representatives to Taiwan. If BYD representatives do visit Taiwan, they may not necessarily hold Chinese nationality, which would exempt them from needing approval for entry.
Regarding Chinese electric vehicles entering Taiwan’s market, Liang expressed concerns about unfair competition practices. He noted that mainland Chinese EVs benefit from substantial government subsidies and overproduction, allowing them to be sold at extremely low prices and engage in overseas dumping.
More significantly, Liang highlighted cybersecurity risks associated with Chinese electric vehicles. He questioned where user data collected by these vehicles would be stored and how it might be utilized, emphasizing that these are critical security considerations that cannot be overlooked.
The MAC spokesperson reiterated support for the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ position that the government must conduct thorough reviews of all Chinese automotive brands attempting to enter Taiwan’s market through various channels. These reviews will consider national security, vehicle safety, information security, and industrial development factors.
This cautious approach reflects Taiwan’s broader strategy of balancing economic opportunities with security concerns when dealing with Chinese businesses and technology products.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 7, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202508070344.aspx