As the APEC summit in late October approaches, US President Donald Trump aims to broker a historic China-US trade deal and push for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. However, stalled negotiations have raised concerns that Taiwan could become a bargaining chip between Washington and Beijing
Taiwan currently shines on the global stage with three standout industries: its healthcare system, electronics manufacturing services (EMS), and semiconductors. Though each sector's competitive edge stems from unique factors, they all share one crucial—and arguably most important—common denominator: the sustained, multi-generational commitment of the nation's social elites. This commitment is measured not in years, but in cycles of sixty years, known as a jiazi in the traditional Chinese calendar
While advanced packaging technologies first gained traction in high-end smartphones, it was the supply crunch of AI chips in 2023 that truly mobilized the semiconductor industry around this emerging field. As demand for advanced packaging surged, the industry quickly turned to a familiar solution: standardization, one of its most time-tested strategies for managing complex supply chains and reducing the communication overhead between players across the value chain
SEMICON West 2025, held for the first time in Phoenix, Arizona, showcased unprecedented momentum in the local semiconductor industry driven by TSMC's massive investments. The collaborative efforts of Phoenix's real estate, government, and academic sectors to rebuild a semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem go far beyond what media reports or White House declarations reveal
With the momentum behind artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure continuing to accelerate, industry giants Nvidia and AMD are preparing to launch next-generation chip architectures in 2027. These innovations are expected to significantly drive demand for AI servers, reshaping the supply chain and pushing the boundaries of data center design
China's technological advancement remains a central focus of global attention, with social media frequently showcasing local tech applications and innovations. Yet for many outside observers, the actual situation in China continues to fuel curiosity and skepticism, prompting many to wonder what lies beneath the polished surface
TSMC reported a record net profit of NT$452.3 billion (approx. US$14.8 billion) in the third quarter of 2025, surpassing expectations and pushing its first nine months' earnings to NT$1.21 trillion, already exceeding the full-year 2024 total of NT$1.17 trillion. However, Chairman C.C. Wei's demeanor marked a notable shift from previous years, emphasizing disciplined expansion amid strong AI demand
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their groundbreaking experimental work demonstrating macroscopic quantum tunneling, a phenomenon showing that quantum effects can manifest in systems large enough to be observed directly
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries—long praised for their affordability and safety—are gaining traction among Western automakers. As cost-conscious electric vehicles (EVs) enter the spotlight, global giants like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis are increasingly building out product lines centered on LFP battery technology
Since Lip-Bu Tan took over as CEO in March 2025, Intel has experienced a historic year of upheaval, becoming the center of attention in the global tech community
As South Korea prepares to host APEC 2025 Korea in Gyeongju on October 31, attention is focused on a potential high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, rising tensions over China's expanded REE export controls and special port fees imposed on US-flagged vessels have intensified the trade conflict ahead of the summit. If unresolved through negotiation, these escalating trade barriers risk inflicting severe economic damage that could leave both the US and China worse off, while also harming Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea as collateral victims
China tightened rare earth export controls after its National Day holidays, using its dominant production capacity to pressure US firms and advanced chipmakers amid rising supply chain risks
Taiwanese President Ching-te Lai remarked that the US takes 80% of semiconductor profits. While TSMC leads in manufacturing, US firms dominate IC design. The US seeks a balanced production split with Taiwan, but Taiwan hesitates amid US-China tensions
As the automotive industry races toward smarter, more autonomous vehicles, a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) is taking center stage: Agentic AI. With its hallmark features—multi-agent collaboration, autonomous decision-making, and iterative learning—agentic AI is emerging as a critical force driving the next wave of transformation in mobility, manufacturing, and in-car experience
Larry Ellison, the 81-year-old head of long-standing Silicon Valley tech giant Oracle, has surpassed Elon Musk to become the world's richest person. Ellison transformed the company overnight from a declining database business into an AI powerhouse and potentially the biggest winner in the future TikTok equity deal
