Apple operating chief Jeff Williams makes rare Taiwan visit to attend gala of iPhone maker Foxconn – Technologist

In Taipei on Tuesday night, Williams was joined by Apple’s senior vice-president of operations, Sabih Khan, as a guest of honour at a gala celebration. Also present were SoftBank Group chief executive officer Masayoshi Son and Arm Holdings boss Rene Haas, according a statement by Foxconn on Wednesday.

The occasion was also a rare moment for Taiwan to host so many leaders from the global tech industry at a single event. Foreign executives often opt for low-key visits to Taiwan so as to avoid a reaction from mainland China, which claims the island as part of its territory.

Gou, who stepped down as Foxconn chief in 2019 and resigned as a board member last September, remains the company’s largest shareholder and is still reverentially referred to by company executives as “the Founder”.

In late November he abandoned his latest attempt to become Taiwan’s president after failing to broker a deal to unite the island’s fractious opposition ahead of January elections, and largely vanished from view, though he did visit a temple last month.

Taiwan’s Vice-Premier Cheng Wen-tsan and minister of economic affairs Wang Mei-hua joined Foxconn’s celebrations, with chairman Liu Young-way hosting the event.

Liu said the celebration was for Gou.

“Tonight we are among friends, who are long-time customers and suppliers,” the company statement cited Liu as saying. “This evening is for you. It is Terry’s evening.”