Robert Tsao, Taiwanese chip tycoon sanctioned by Beijing, sparks ‘cross-strait affair’ row

‘So what if it’s true?’ UMC founder says, after Taiwanese commentator claims to show photos with mainland Chinese mistress

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Tech billionaire Robert Tsao is the founder of United Microelectronics Corporation or UMC, Taiwan’s No 2 chipmaker. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:27pm, 21 Feb 2025Updated: 9:46pm, 21 Feb 2025

Robert Tsao Hsing-cheng, the Taiwanese billionaire best known as the founder of chipmaker United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), who was sanctioned by Beijing last year, has been caught up in a storm over an alleged extramarital affair with a mainland woman.

During a social media live stream on Monday, Taiwanese commentator Hsieh Han-ping displayed photos he claimed were of Tsao and his mainland Chinese mistress taken in 2015. Hsieh, who is known for his links with Taiwan’s pro-Beijing main opposition Kuomintang, followed up with more such photos on Tuesday night.

Tsao, 77, initially denied the allegations, and argued that images could be easily manipulated.

However, in a statement on Wednesday he said: “So what if it’s true?” while accusing Hsieh of violating his privacy.

The matter has sparked heated discussions on the island and drawn moral criticism from official media across the Taiwan Strait, where Tsao is known for his anti-Beijing political stance.

“The people of Taiwan will [condemn] Tsao and this scandal will make everyone see clearly his twisted mindset of promoting ‘anti-China’ [sentiments],” the Strait Herald said in an editorial on Thursday.