‘SILICON SHIELD’: Although TSMC is indispensable to Western nations, more high-end companies need to join its ranks to boost research and development, Gou said
Taipei Times
Date: Jan 05, 2021
By: Staff writer, with CNA and Bloomberg
Founder and former chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Terry Gou, second left, and Hon Hai chairman Young Liu, right, yesterday pose for a photograph during the opening of the Hon Hai Research Institute in Taipei.
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the founding of the Hon Hai Research Institute, Gou said he hoped that his company, also known as Foxconn Technology Group (富士康科技集團), would one day be on par with the TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker.
As a critical link in the global semiconductor supply chain and a major supplier for US tech companies, TSMC has been dubbed by foreign experts as Taiwan’s “silicon shield” and one of the reasons why the West needs to help defend the country in the event of a conflict with China.
However, Gou said that a “silicon shield” is not enough and he expressed concern over Taiwan’s shrinking birthrate. [FULL STORY]
