Taipei International Computer Show (Computex) ended on Saturday after attracting 40,969 buyers from 177 nations over five days, up from 39,130 buyers from 165 nations last year, according to organizers. The introduction of the InnoVEX exhibition — which was set up to offer a venue for start-ups, manufacturers and venture capitalists — was one of the highlights of the show, attracting 10,975 visitors in three days, organizers said.
Computex started 36 years ago out as an information technology trade show and over the years has evolved into Taiwan’s premier showcase for local and international developers of computer-related products. Like another important trade event, Taipei International Cycle Show, Computex is a place for companies to exchange information and inspire new ideas, as well as reach out to potential customers and engage with quality suppliers.
However, changes in the development of PCs, mobile phones and consumer electronics in recent years have added pressure to Taiwan’s PC-centric manufacturers to shift their focus toward the much broader Internet of Things (IoT) segment — including a wide range of smart home and other connected devices. Likewise, Computex has to transform and reposition itself in a larger industry context, with the four areas of focus this year being IoT applications, innovation and start-ups, smart business solutions, gaming PCs and virtual reality applications.
Some people said there was no excitement in this year’s Computex given the absence of several big brands, adding that the impact of the show is diminishing given the reduced number of launches of innovative applications or impressive products, while others said the show still has an unwavering importance in the eyes of global players, citing an increasing number of participating nations and first-timers.
Nevertheless, the setting up of two special pavilions for InnoVEX and SmarTEX demonstrated the organizers’ ambition to develop the nation into a new start-up hub, while shifting Computex’s focus from traditional computers to innovative, “smart connected” technologies.
The transformation of Computex comes at a time when President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) government is vowing to establish an “Asian Silicon Valley” in Taoyuan, which seeks to rely on the rapidly expanding IoT to set the basis for the nation’s industrial development over the next two decades. The goal of creating new forms of economic development models through the continuous development of IoT and other applications for smart devices and robotics would help achieve a more convenient life for people as well as more efficient manufacturing and increased business opportunities for local industries.
However, the challenges facing the nation are greater than just shifting the focus to the production of various IoT applications. While it is easy to meet IoT hardware design requirements, Taiwanese manufacturers need a well-developed ecosystem for innovative IoT applications and they must move toward software-hardware integration and content services development rather than solely focusing on hardware manufacturing. Both the government and tech companies also need to strengthen their capabilities to address important issues, such as data security, standardization and interoperability, along with the expansion of the IoT.
Last, counting on innovation to speed up economic transformation would certainly drive the need for an amicable environment that welcomes people with the necessary skills.
If the nation is to make the “Asian Silicon Valley” initiative work rather than making it just another industrial park, the government has to ease restrictions on businesses hiring white-collar foreign professionals, and companies need to change their mindset toward the use and cultivation of human resources.
Recently, China launched another diplomatic offensive against Taiwan, improperly linking its “one China principle” with UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to constrain Taiwan’s diplomatic space. After Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13, China persuaded Nauru to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Nauru cited Resolution 2758 in its declaration of the diplomatic break. Subsequently, during the WHO Executive Board meeting that month, Beijing rallied countries including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Laos, Russia, Syria and Pakistan to reiterate the “one China principle” in their statements, and assert that “Resolution 2758 has settled the status of Taiwan” to hinder Taiwan’s
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s (李顯龍) decision to step down after 19 years and hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong (黃循財), on May 15 was expected — though, perhaps, not so soon. Most political analysts had been eyeing an end-of-year handover, to ensure more time for Wong to study and shadow the role, ahead of general elections that must be called by November next year. Wong — who is currently both deputy prime minister and minister of finance — would need a combination of fresh ideas, wisdom and experience as he writes the nation’s next chapter. The world that
The past few months have seen tremendous strides in India’s journey to develop a vibrant semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. The nation’s established prowess in information technology (IT) has earned it much-needed revenue and prestige across the globe. Now, through the convergence of engineering talent, supportive government policies, an expanding market and technologically adaptive entrepreneurship, India is striving to become part of global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision of “Make in India” and “Design in India” has been the guiding force behind the government’s incentive schemes that span skilling, design, fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, and
Can US dialogue and cooperation with the communist dictatorship in Beijing help avert a Taiwan Strait crisis? Or is US President Joe Biden playing into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) hands? With America preoccupied with the wars in Europe and the Middle East, Biden is seeking better relations with Xi’s regime. The goal is to responsibly manage US-China competition and prevent unintended conflict, thereby hoping to create greater space for the two countries to work together in areas where their interests align. The existing wars have already stretched US military resources thin, and the last thing Biden wants is yet another war.