MOFA response to disinformation campaign alleging Taiwanese firm assisted Russia

January 8, 2025

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) solemnly issues a clarification in response to recent reports fabricated by ill-intentioned individuals claiming that the Taiwanese company Rung Cherng Suspenparts (TRC) produced servomechanisms for Russia to augment its weaponry for use against Ukraine. This is completely false. MOFA strongly condemns the malicious individuals behind the deplorable disinformation campaign against Taiwan and calls on all sectors to carefully distinguish fact from fiction so as not to be misled.

Recent media reports have cited statements by Ukrainian civic activist Vadym Labas, who claimed that TRC had supplied servomechanisms to Russia that could increase the precision of arms deployed against Ukraine. After receiving news of the reports on January 6, MOFA immediately instructed the Taipei Representative Office in Poland to contact Ukraine for clarification. Ukraine promptly responded that the items in question were believed to be counterfeits of Taiwanese products jointly manufactured by China and Russia; that the components and packaging were intentionally branded with the TRC logo to falsely link them to Taiwan; and that this was believed to be a disinformation campaign targeting Taiwan.

Mr. Labas, the original news source, has since publicly clarified on his Facebook page that Taiwan strongly supports Ukraine. He has added that further investigation revealed the likelihood of a deliberate attempt by unscrupulous Chinese and Russian businesspeople to circumvent sanctions and discredit Taiwan, leading to Taiwan being wrongfully accused.

MOFA also contacted the Ministry of Economic Affairs International Trade Administration for information on TRC, the company that was implicated. TRC stated in a media interview on January 6 that it did not even manufacture servomechanisms and that it would take legal action in response to the unfounded allegations.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, Taiwan has staunchly supported Ukraine in countering Russian aggression; provided humanitarian assistance for reconstruction efforts in Ukraine; and joined the United States, European nations, and other like-minded democratic countries in imposing sanctions on Russia. MOFA urges people everywhere to beware of disinformation campaigns against Taiwan and not be misled by false reports.