Taiwan Issues Arrest Warrant for OnePlus CEO Pete Lau Over Illegal Hiring Claims

Taiwanese prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for OnePlus Chief Executive Officer Pete Lau, accusing him of illegally operating business activities and recruiting local employees in Taiwan without government approval.

The Shilin District Prosecutors Office said two Taiwanese citizens have been indicted for assisting Lau in running an unapproved operation and hiring more than 70 engineers to work on smartphone software research, development, testing, and verification for the Chinese smartphone brand.

Authorities say the case falls under Taiwan’s Cross-Strait Act, which regulates business and employment ties between Taiwan and mainland China. Under the law, Chinese companies must receive official permission before recruiting Taiwanese workers.

Prosecutors allege that OnePlus established a Hong Kong shell company under a different name before launching an unauthorized branch in Taiwan in 2015. The unit allegedly carried out research and development work for OnePlus devices.

OnePlus is headquartered in Shenzhen and became an independent sub-brand under Oppo in 2021, although both companies remain part of the broader BBK electronics group.

Neither OnePlus nor Oppo has publicly responded to the allegations. Pete Lau has also not commented on the warrant.

Taiwan has intensified scrutiny of Chinese technology firms in recent years, particularly over concerns that high-tech talent is being recruited away from the island’s semiconductor and electronics sectors through indirect hiring structures.

In August 2025, Taiwanese authorities confirmed investigations into at least 16 Chinese companies accused of using shell entities to recruit sensitive technical talent.

The outcome of the OnePlus case could further shape Taiwan’s enforcement approach toward cross-border technology employment.