The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council has raised alarms over the future of the island of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, accusing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of endangering its viability.
At a recent press conference, spokesperson Zhu Fenglian addressed concerns that the United States might be undermining Taiwan’s semiconductor sector. “The concerns of Taiwan’s industry are not groundless,” Zhu remarked. She cautioned that if the DPP authorities persist on what she termed a “dangerous path of selling out Taiwan and ruining it,” the island’s industrial sector and residents could face significant job losses and lose future development opportunities.
Zhu criticized how the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), a global leader in chip manufacturing, has been utilized as a “political pledge” by the DPP authorities in their attempts to seek “Taiwan independence” by leaning on the United States. She suggested that it might only be a matter of time before Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is handed over by Lai Ching-te, whom she labeled as a “professional traitor of Taiwan.”
In business news, Reuters reported that TSMC and Intel have discussed a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture to operate the U.S. chipmaker’s factories, with TSMC potentially taking a 20 percent stake in the new company. Additionally, Taiwan’s major chipmaker United Microelectronics and U.S.-based GlobalFoundries are exploring the possibility of a merger.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is a cornerstone of its economy, playing a crucial role in the global technology supply chain. These developments could have significant implications for the island’s economic future and its position in international markets.
