"It is not a unified policy toward Taiwan companies."

Taiwan companies regularly ignore the rules by investing through offshore companies in any case.

Taiwan companies are important subcontractors for high-technology consumer products and components.

The Taiwan company already has the other 20 percent.

"That means about 30 million people are living off Taiwan companies," he said, counting children and other unemployed dependents.

The majority of investment in the park comes from Taiwan companies and individuals.

But Taiwan companies cannot always offer scientists and engineers the same salaries they get in America.

Already, five Taiwan companies have set up factories in Ceara.

Taiwan companies like her former employer are the biggest investors in the free-trade zone here.

Taiwan companies committed an estimated $10 billion to China projects the last two years, most of it in high-technology ventures.