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聯華電子公司治理與美國紐約證交所規定之差異
As a Republic
of China ("ROC") company listed on the New York Stock
Exchange ("NYSE"), we are subject to the U.S. corporate
governance rules to the extent that these rules are
applicable to foreign issuers. The following summary
relates to the significant differences between our corporate
governance practices and corporate governance standards
for U.S. companies listed on the NYSE.
The Legal Framework. In general, corporate governance
principles for Taiwanese companies are set forth in
the ROC Company Act ("ROC Company Act"), the
ROC Securities Exchange Act and, to the extent they
are listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, listing rules
of the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Corporate governance principles
under provisions of ROC law may differ in significant
ways to corporate governance standards for U.S. companies
listed on the NYSE. Committed to high standards of corporate
governance, we have generally brought our corporate
governance in line with U.S. regulations. However, we
have not adopted certain recommended NYSE corporate
governance standards where such standards are contrary
to ROC laws or regulations or generally prevailing business
practices in Taiwan.
Independent Board Members.
Under the NYSE listing standards applicable to U.S.
companies, independent directors must comprise a majority
of the board of directors. We currently have four independent
directors out of a total of nine directors on our board
of directors. Our standards in determining director
independence substantially comply with the NYSE listing
standards, which include detailed tests for determining
director independence. Our board of directors, however,
may waive certain independence requirements under the
NYSE listing standards if our board believes that certain
facts would not impair a director's exercise of his
or her independent judgment. In addition, even though
our independent directors meet in committee meetings
of which they are committee members, we will not hold
executive sessions of non-management directors because
such practice is contrary to the ROC Company Act.
Board Committees. Under
the NYSE listing standards, companies are required to
have a nominating/corporate governance committee, composed
entirely of independent directors. In addition to identifying
individuals qualified to become board members, the nominating/corporate
committee must develop and recommend to the board a
set of corporate governance principles. We do not currently
have a corporate governance committee or a nominating
committee. In accordance with an interpretation letter
issued under the ROC Company Act, the power to nominate
directors shall not vest only in the directors. Any
holder of the company's voting common stock may nominate
directors to be voted on by shareholders. Therefore,
we do not have a nominating committee because vesting
such nominating rights in a body of independent directors
may result in conflict with the ROC Company Act. Furthermore,
we do not have a corporate governance committee as such
committee is not required under domestic requirements.
Our board of directors is responsible for regularly
reviewing our corporate governance standards and practices.
Under the NYSE listing standards, companies are required
to have a compensation committee, composed entirely
of independent directors. Under the ROC Company Act,
however, companies incorporated in the ROC are not required
to have a compensation committee. The ROC Company Act
requires that director compensation be determined either
in accordance with the company's articles of incorporation
or by the approval of the shareholders. Currently, in
addition to compensation approved at the shareholders'
meeting, in the event we have net income, we will distribute
0.1% of our earnings after payment of all income taxes,
deduction of any past losses and allocation of 10% of
our net income for legal reserves, as remunerations
to our directors and supervisors pursuant to our articles
of incorporation. Currently, our board of directors
is responsible for determining the form and amount of
compensation for each of our directors and executive
officers within the guidelines of our articles of incorporation.
Equity Compensation Plans. The NYSE listing standards
also require that a company's shareholders must approve
equity compensation plans. Under the corresponding domestic
requirements in the ROC Company Act and the ROC Securities
Exchange Act, shareholders' approval is required for
the distribution of employee bonuses in the form of
stock, while the board of director has authority, subject
to the approval of the ROC Securities and Futures Bureau,
to approve employee stock option plans and to grant
options to employees pursuant to such plans and has
also authority to approve share buy-back programs for
the purpose of transferring shares so purchased to employees
and the transfer of such shares to employees pursuant
to such programs. We intend to follow only the domestic
requirements.
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