Foxconn, the world’s major contract electronics maker, is probably to be fined soon by Taiwan’s authorities for an unauthorised financial commitment in a Chinese chip maker, a human being with immediate information of the condition explained on Monday.

Taiwan, which Beijing views as sovereign Chinese territory, has turned a wary eye on China’s ambition to improve its semiconductor sector and is tightening legislation to prevent what it suggests is China stealing its chip technological know-how.

Foxconn, a significant Apple Inc provider and Apple iphone maker, disclosed in July it was a shareholder in embattled Chinese chip conglomerate Tsinghua Unigroup, but mentioned late on Friday it would be selling the stake. Taiwan claimed on Saturday it would wonderful Foxconn over the investment.

Taiwan’s govt, which requires to apparent all outbound investments, had not accredited the deal. Taipei also prohibits providers from setting up their most sophisticated chip foundries in China to guarantee they do not internet site their greatest engineering offshore.

The person familiar with the scenario instructed Reuters that the Economic climate Ministry would speak to Foxconn on Monday to confirm the fairness sale.

“Even however the expenditure was afterwards pulled, the reality has by now been recognized that they invested 1st, and they will be fined,” claimed the source, who was not authorised to communicate to the media.

“It must not consider far too lengthy for Hon Hai to be punished,” the resource additional, referring to Foxconn’s official title, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd.

Reuters has earlier noted that the business could be fined up to T$25 million ($813,749).

Foxconn declined to remark. Its shares shut up 1% on Monday, outperforming the broader market, which ended .7% lower.

Tsinghua Unigroup has not responded to a ask for for remark on the expenditure remaining pulled.

Taiwanese regulation states the authorities can prohibit financial investment in China “based mostly on the consideration of national protection and marketplace improvement”. Violators of the law can be fined continuously right up until corrections are built.

Foxconn has been in search of to get chip crops globally as a globally chip scarcity rattles producers of goods from automobiles to electronics. It is keen to make car chips in distinct as it expands into the electric automobile marketplace.