UPDATE 1-Hon Hai sues rival over patent rights infringement

* Suit over CPU socket connector manufacturing (Adds Suyin's response)

TAIPEI Jan 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (2317.TW) has filed a lawsuit in China against Taiwan-based component maker Suyin (3681.TWO) for allegedly infringing its patent rights, Hon Hai said on Monday.

In a statement to the stock exchange, Hon Hai said Suyin's subsidiary in China has infringed Hon Hai unit Foxconn Computer Connectors (Kunshan)'s patent rights on manufacturing CPU socket connectors.

Suyin said in a separate statement to the stock exchange later on Monday that its operations and shipments will not be affected by the lawsuit. It said it "upholds goodwill and competition fairness in product development."

It said it reserved the right to countersue Hon Hai if it found any patent infringement.

The suit has been filed with the Dongguan Intermediate People's Court of China, Hon Hai's statement said. (Reporting by Clare Jim; Editing by Jonathan Standing)