TAIPEI, Reuters – The Taiwanese government announced Wednesday that it would tighten Russia’s export restrictions as part of the sanctions against Russia for their invasion of Ukraine. It also detailed rules for preventing technology from being used for military purposes.

Taiwan condemns Russia’s attack, and it has joined the Western-led Sanctions effort. But this is mostly symbolic because there are very few direct trade relations between Taiwan and Russia.

In an announcement, Taiwan’s Cabinet stated that companies who wish to export tech-related products to Russia will need permission.

This was done “in order not to allow our country to export high-tech goods and materials to Russia for military weapon production”, said the Cabinet.

It includes equipment to produce semiconductors. Taiwan is world-leading in their production.

Separately, the Economy Ministry said that it urges industry to adhere to the export control laws, do due diligence before exporting and to avoid products on the Russian export list that may be used in weapons proliferation to Russia.

According to the statement, it was based on what other countries are doing. The list covered 57 items.

According to a U.S. official, Taiwan’s TSMC was the biggest contract chipmaker worldwide. The move cut off Moscow Center for SPARC Technologies’ access Elbrus chips that are commonly used in Russian military and intelligence systems.

The public sympathies in Taiwan for the current situation in Ukraine are strong due to the many parallels that can be drawn between the events in Europe and China’s attempt to take over the territory it calls its own.