WS Lin , chairman of TFT-LCD panel maker Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) and the Tatung Group has suggested the Taiwan government loosens its rule keeping the most advanced panel production technology in Taiwan, saying the policy is out of date.

CPT was interested in going to China, but China-based TV vendors have already begun entering the panel industry, along with Samsung Electronics, LG Display and other Taiwan-based panel makers. It is estimated that there are about eight players investing in 5G and above production plants in China currently. Furthermore, based on the Taiwan government's rules, panel makers need to keep their most advanced production plants in Taiwan, which means CPT could only set up a 5G plant in China, which would be uncompetitive. For these reasons CPT has decided to delay any plans.

Lin noted that small- to medium-size panel shipments at CPT are expected to increase 50-60% on year in 2011, and CPT may have a chance to turn profitable. Shipments of small- to medium-size panels are expected to reach 300 million units in 2010, up from 150 million units in 2009.

WS Lin , chairman of CPT
Photo: Terry Ku, Digitimes, December 2010