Taiwan Issues Arrest Warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau

Taiwanese authorities have taken a dramatic legal step against Pete Lau, the chief executive and co-founder of smartphone maker OnePlus, issuing an arrest warrant that has drawn widespread attention across the global technology industry. The move comes amid intensifying scrutiny by Taiwan over the flow of engineering talent and sensitive know-how to mainland China.

According to prosecutors in Taipei, the case is linked to an ongoing investigation into whether OnePlus violated Taiwanese laws by hiring local engineers without proper authorisation. The probe also involves two Taiwanese individuals who are alleged to have acted as intermediaries, helping the company bring a large number of engineers into its workforce over several years. Officials believe the recruitment drive began more than a decade ago and continued without following the island’s strict regulatory framework.

For Taiwan, this is not simply a corporate dispute but part of a broader strategy to protect its highly prized technology ecosystem. The island is one of the world’s most important centres for semiconductor manufacturing and advanced electronics, making its pool of engineers a critical national asset. In recent years, authorities have grown increasingly wary of overseas firms—particularly from mainland China—attempting to tap into this talent base, which they fear could lead to the transfer of sensitive intellectual property.

Pete Lau is a well-known figure in the global smartphone industry. He helped build OnePlus into a respected international brand, recognised for its focus on premium design and performance. He also holds a senior leadership role within Oppo, another major player in the consumer electronics space, often representing the company at high-profile product launches. That public prominence has made the legal action in Taiwan even more noteworthy.

At the heart of the case is a Taiwanese law that governs interactions between the island and mainland China. The legislation restricts how Chinese companies can operate, hire staff, or establish a presence in Taiwan without official approval, particularly in sectors considered vital to national security. Authorities say these rules are meant to safeguard strategic industries from undue foreign influence or exploitation.

While the arrest warrant has generated global headlines, the immediate business impact appears limited. OnePlus has indicated that its operations continue as usual, and there has been no major disruption reported so far. Nonetheless, the case underscores how technology, talent, and geopolitics are becoming increasingly intertwined, with Taiwan and China locked in a delicate and closely watched contest over innovation and expertise.