The officials confirmed that Wang, who has been indicted for allegedly embezzling billions of NT dollars, has left a U.S. jail, where he had been held for six months for illegal entry.

"We've asked the lawyer we hired in the United States to work out countermeasures," Premier Chang Chun-hsiung said of Taipei's efforts to bring the tycoon back for trial. "We'll never give up."

Taiwan authorities had hoped Wang, wanted on charges of violating the securities, accounting and finance laws, would be expelled by the United States for allegedly entering the country illegally.

But his release on bail means the U.S. court probably believes his entry into the country was not illegal, and is unlikely to expel him.

Vice Justice Minister Lee Chin-yung said Wang probably is under close watch by U.S. authorities.

Lee said Taiwan respects the U.S. court's decision to grant Wang bail, but the tycoon's case of illegal entry has not yet been closed.

Foreign Minister James Huang said the government will continue seeking Wang's repatriation, as due process at the U.S. court is not fully carried out.

Asked if he was worried that Wang might flee to other countries, Huang said, "We have trust in the U.S. judiciary system."

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will have the final say on Wang's case.

The 80-year-old Wang, founder of the now cash-strapped Rebar group, and his wife Chin Shih-ying, flew to China from Taipei last December before his business empire's financial woes came to light.

In February, Taiwan investigators came close to nabbing the fugitives when the couple flew from Los Angeles to Singapore, reportedly planning to go on to Myanmar.

But Wang was denied entry in Singapore because of a lack of travel documents, as his Taiwan passport had already been revoked by Taipei.

The couple refused to return to Taiwan as arranged by investigators from Taipei, and Wang reportedly lay on the floor of Singapore's airport in desperate protest.

They were eventually allowed to fly back to Los Angeles, where the tycoon was immediately detained upon arrival. His wife Chin, a U.S. citizen, was allowed leave to enter.

As there is no extradition treaty between Taipei and Washington, several Taiwan businessmen suspected of involvement in high-profile financial crime cases have been able to take shelter in the United States.

Prosecutors in Taipei have sought a 30-year prison term for Wang and fine of NT$1.7 billion for allegedly embezzling NT$73 billion, according to the indictment.

The prosecution has also asked for a 28-year jail term and a NT$700 million fine for his wife.

The prosecutors have indicted 104 other individuals in the high-profile scandal, among them 10 members of Wang's family, including his brothers, sons and daughters who had served as heads of different units in Rebar Group.

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