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According to prosecutors, OnePlus allegedly recruited Taiwanese engineers for years without receiving mandatory government approval. (Photo: Bloomberg)
Taiwanese prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Pete Lau, the CEO and co-founder of OnePlus, marking a rare and serious legal move against a top Chinese tech executive. The action forms part of Taiwan’s wider crackdown on alleged illegal recruitment of engineers and technology leakage involving Chinese companies.
Authorities say the case is not limited to OnePlus alone. Instead, it reflects Taiwan’s growing concern over protecting its advanced technology sector, especially as cross-strait tensions with China continue to rise.
According to prosecutors, OnePlus allegedly recruited Taiwanese engineers for years without receiving mandatory government approval. Officials claim the hiring violated laws that strictly regulate business and employment links between Taiwan and mainland China.
Pete Lau is one of the most recognisable names in the global smartphone industry. Born in China, Lau built his career in consumer electronics before co-founding OnePlus in 2013.
Before launching OnePlus, Lau held senior roles at Oppo, where he gained a reputation for focusing on premium design and user experience. His vision helped OnePlus stand out in a crowded smartphone market with its “flagship killer” devices.
Today, Pete Lau serves not only as OnePlus CEO but also as Chief Product Officer at Oppo, frequently appearing at high-profile product launches. His leadership turned OnePlus from a startup into a globally known smartphone brand operating across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Pete Lau’s exact net worth remains undisclosed, but industry estimates place him among China’s wealthy tech executives. His wealth primarily comes from his leadership stakes in OnePlus and his senior executive role at Oppo.
As OnePlus expanded globally and became part of Oppo’s broader ecosystem, Lau’s financial standing strengthened. Analysts believe his net worth runs into hundreds of millions of dollars, although no official figure has been released.
Taiwanese prosecutors allege that OnePlus illegally hired more than 70 engineers from Taiwan since 2014. Investigators say these engineers worked on software development, testing, and research related to OnePlus devices.
Officials argue that Pete Lau and his associates violated the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. This law bars Chinese companies from operating or recruiting in Taiwan without explicit approval.
Two Taiwanese nationals have already been indicted for allegedly helping OnePlus recruit local engineers.
Taiwan hosts one of the world’s most advanced technology ecosystems, especially in semiconductors and electronics engineering. The government fears that unchecked recruitment by Chinese firms could weaken national security and drain critical expertise.
In recent years, Taiwan has increased investigations into foreign companies suspected of bypassing hiring laws to access sensitive talent.
OnePlus has said that its business operations continue as normal and that the legal matter has not affected daily work. However, the arrest warrant places Pete Lau under intense global scrutiny.
While extradition remains unlikely, the case highlights the growing legal and political risks facing tech leaders operating across the China-Taiwan lines.
