The Taiwan Free Communication and Broadcasting Association held a seminar at National Taiwan University on June 30th, inviting scholars and experts to analyze how the new government of Taiwan should properly address internal and external crises. The Chairman of the Taiwan Free Communication and Broadcasting Association and a special research fellow at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Wu Huilin, pointed out the challenges faced by the new government in maintaining the status quo amidst a changing legislative landscape. Handling internal concerns to ensure smooth governance is indeed a daunting task. Additionally, the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, have led to geopolitical power balances and challenges in politics, economics, resource allocation, and product distribution, putting the new government’s capabilities to the test.
Wu Huilin emphasized the imminent collapse of the Chinese Communist regime and the need to prevent Taiwan from being affected and further isolated internationally. Preventing a potential Chinese Communist invasion of Taiwan poses a serious challenge for the new government. Ultimately, the key is to unite internally, enhance self-strength, garner increasing international support, and lead Taiwan towards a brighter future. The seminar featured guidance from experts such as Song Guocheng, Yang Ruilin, Ming Juzheng, and Xie Jinhe.
Senior research fellow at the Center for International Relations Studies at National Chengchi University, Song Guocheng, discussed the misconceptions surrounding the “One China Principle” promoted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Contrary to the CCP’s claims, the U.S. “One China policy” includes the “Taiwan Relations Act,” the “Three Joint Communiqués,” and the “Six Assurances,” rather than solely the “Three Joint Communiqués” as insisted by the CCP. In essence, the “One China Policy” is not synonymous with the “One China Principle.”
Song Guocheng stressed that the issue does not involve the CCP unifying Taiwan but rather the establishment of the Republic of China on the mainland before the CCP’s inception. With differing systems, values, and lifestyles between Taiwan and the mainland, reunification is merely a forced merger without the basis of popular will. Taiwan has the right to determine its own future and destiny, and the CCP has no authority to dictate Taiwan’s future.
Regarding Taiwan’s stance towards the CCP, Song Guocheng urged for a clear strategic approach, defining red lines of resistance, and conveying Taiwan’s unwavering determination to the world. It is crucial for Taiwan to cultivate a sense of “China risk awareness,” establish alertness among its populace, and emphasize the core narrative of “resisting the CCP to safeguard Taiwan.”
Analyzing the present and future of the U.S.-China semiconductor technology warfare, Director of the Industrial Technology International Strategy Development Institute at the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Yang Ruilin, emphasized the critical need for Taiwan to collaborate internationally and bolster research and development security, especially in advanced semiconductor technologies below the 9-nanometer node. Yang projected that both TSMC and Taiwan’s semiconductor industry will likely maintain global leadership until at least 2032. Taiwan should intensify collaboration with international partners and prioritize enhancing R&D security measures.
Yang Ruilin highlighted that AI, quantum technology, and 6G are pivotal fields for future global development, where Taiwan’s semiconductor industry can play a significant role due to its technological advantages. Both democratic and authoritarian camps, including the U.S., the UK, Australia, and the CCP, have identified AI, quantum technology, and 6G as key development areas. As these technologies require advanced semiconductor support, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry can contribute significantly to the technological progress of democratic nations.
In terms of the CCP’s prospects in AI system architecture and next-generation semiconductor innovation and development, Yang Ruilin assessed a low possibility of breaking through in the next 10 years. However, attention must be paid to potential future advancements and strategies in the U.S.-China semiconductor and technology warfare beyond this period.
Honorary Professor of Political Science at National Taiwan University, Ming Juzheng, discussed the CCP’s exploitation of anti-Taiwan independence sentiments as a tool for internal nationalist mobilization to divert attention from internal economic issues and societal discrepancies. Externally, the CCP uses the “One China Principle” and opposition to Taiwan independence to suppress the international space of the Republic of China and attempt to influence Taiwan internally. Clarifying the concept of “Taiwan independence,” he highlighted that anyone not accepting CCP rule is deemed as advocating for “Taiwan independence.”
Ming Juzheng emphasized Taiwan’s democratic values, semiconductor industry, economic strength, strategic position, and the critical role of the Taiwan Strait in global shipping and aviation, making Taiwan an essential partner in the international community. The strategic layout of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region underscores Taiwan’s significance. He emphasized Taiwan’s need to confront the CCP’s “anti-Taiwan independence” strategy, thwart its divide-and-conquer tactics, and make the right choices based on national security, economic interests, and values.
Chairman of the Taiwan Wealth and Trust Media, Xie Jinhe, discussed the economic pressures exerted by the CCP on Taiwan, citing incidents such as frequent Chinese military provocations, expanded legislative powers within Taiwan causing chaos, pressure on entertainers to choose sides, and the termination of 134 product categories under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA). Despite these pressures, Taiwan’s stock market achieved record highs, partially attributed to the visit of NVIDIA CEO Huang Renxun, drawing global attention. Xie noted that Taiwan faces increasing economic prospects and highlighted the necessity for the economy to generate high-value-added industries.
Xie Jinhe emphasized the centrality of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in the U.S.-China rivalry, which revolves around semiconductor technologies. He pointed out Taiwan’s economic growth, particularly in the semiconductor industry, thanks to the return of Taiwanese capital and global demand for Taiwan’s semiconductor technology. Taiwan’s growing economic disengagement from China is crucial, with a decline in export dependence on China from 43.9% in 2020 to 30.7% in 2024. He underscored the historical opportunity for Taiwan, which attracts investments from technology giants like NVIDIA, AMD, and Google, reflecting Taiwan’s competitive advantage in green energy industries, which is estimated to be a two trillion New Taiwan Dollar industry.