Taiwan Issues Arrest Warrant for OnePlus CEO Over Illegal Hiring Allegations
Taiwanese prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus CEO and co-founder Pete Lau, alleging he was involved in illegal hiring practices on the island, authorities and legal filings show. The move highlights Taipei’s push to safeguard local tech talent and enforce laws governing cross-Strait business activities.
The Shilin District Prosecutors Office said it issued the warrant on Tuesday and also indicted two Taiwanese citizens who worked with Lau. Prosecutors allege that OnePlus, a Chinese smartphone brand headquartered in Shenzhen, illegally recruited more than 70 engineers in Taiwan to work on software research, development, verification and testing without the necessary government approvals.
Under Taiwanese law governing relations with China, foreign firms, especially those tied to the mainland, must obtain approval before setting up operations or hiring local talent. Authorities say such regulations are designed to protect national security and prevent the outflow of strategic technology and expertise.
The allegations come amid broader scrutiny of how Chinese tech firms recruit Taiwanese engineers. In 2025, Taiwan’s government launched multiple investigations into suspected poaching of high-tech professionals by mainland companies, particularly in semiconductors and software.
OnePlus, now a sub-brand of Chinese smartphone maker OPPO, and Lau have not publicly responded to requests for comment. It remains unclear whether the warrant will lead to extradition, as Taiwan does not have a formal treaty with China, and Lau is unlikely to face arrest unless he enters Taiwanese jurisdiction or a cooperating region.
The case underscores growing tensions around talent competition and regulatory enforcement in the technology sector across the Taiwan Strait, even as smartphone makers continue to vie for engineering expertise in a fiercely competitive global market.
