Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) founder Morris Chang (張忠謀) yesterday confirmed that the company plans to produce its most advanced 3-nanometer chips in the US as part of the company’s phase 2 plan at its plant in Phoenix, Arizona.
The 91-year-old entrepreneur, who has been appointed as Taiwan’s envoy to APEC six times, yesterday morning held a news conference at the Presidential Office Building to discuss his delegation’s accomplishments at this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Bangkok, which ended on Saturday.
He was asked whether TSMC has plans to build advanced chips in the US.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
“TSMC’s plant in Arizona is to produce 5-nanometer chips, which comprise the most advanced chip design in the US now, but the company is able to produce 3-nanometer chips, which is its newest technology,” Chang said.
Asked whether TSMC plans to produce 3-nanometer chips in the US, Chang said: “Yes, after it begins producing 5-nanometer chips.”
“The phase 1 plan at the Phoenix plant is to manufacture 5-nanometer chips and the production of 3-nanometer chips would be in phase 2,” he added.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
Chang said that he and his wife plan to attend a ceremony in Phoenix on Dec. 6 to launch chip manufacturing at the plant, adding that US President Joe Biden and US Secretary of Commerce Gina Marie Raimondo have been invited to the ceremony.
“We are not sure if President Biden will attend, but the secretary is scheduled to attend the ceremony in Phoenix,” he said.
Representatives from the company’s customers and suppliers, along with US lawmakers, would also be present, Chang said.
Chang was also asked about Dutch chipmaker ASML Holding NV’s plan to operate a semiconductor machinery plant in New Taipei City, and whether it constitutes an example of global diversification in chip production.
“Many countries have only begun to realize that chips are essential products, and envy and admire Taiwan for having such products and technology. During the APEC forum, I was approached by quite a few representatives inquiring about whether TSMC could produce chips in their countries,” Chang said.
He did not say which countries made the inquiries, saying only that “it is impossible for TSMC to have chip production plants in so many different places.”
Reporters also asked Chang about his encounter with Chinese President Xi Jingping (習近平) in Bangkok, where he reportedly congratulated Xi for securing a third term at the Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Party Congress.
Chang said it was his personal comment and he did not discuss it with the Presidential Office prior to his meeting with Xi.
“The only instruction from the Presidential Office was that I do not have to avoid meeting him [Xi] or greeting him if the opportunity presents itself. As to congratulating President Xi for his achievement at the National Party Congress, that was just my own sentiment,” he said.
National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) said President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) respects the way that Chang chose to interact with Xi.
The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is to tighten rules for candidates running for public office, requiring them to declare that they do not hold a Chinese household registration or passport, and that they possess no other foreign citizenship. The requirement was set out in a draft amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法 ) released by the ministry on Thursday. Under the proposal, candidates would need to make the declaration when submitting their registration forms, which would be published in the official election bulletin. The move follows the removal of several elected officials who were
The Republic of China (ROC) is celebrating its 114th Double Ten National Day today, featuring military parades and a variety of performances and speeches in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei. The Taiwan Taiko Association opened the celebrations with a 100-drummer performance, including young percussionists. As per tradition, an air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet flew over the Presidential Office as a part of the performance. The Honor Guards of the ROC and its marching band also heralded in a military parade. Students from Taichung's Shin Min High School then followed with a colorful performance using floral imagery to represent Taiwan's alternate name
FOUR DESIGNATED AREAS: Notices were issued for live-fire exercises in waters south and northwest of Penghu, northeast of Keelung and west of Kaohsiung, they said The military is planning three major annual exercises across the army, navy and air force this month, with the navy’s “Hai Chiang” (海強, “Sea Strong”) drills running from today through Thursday, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday. The Hai Chiang exercise, which is to take place in waters surrounding Taiwan, would feature P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and S-70C anti-submarine helicopters, the ministry said, adding that the drills aim to bolster the nation’s offshore defensive capabilities. China has intensified military and psychological pressure against Taiwan, repeatedly sending warplanes and vessels into areas near the nation’s air defense identification zone and across
A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would severely threaten the national security of the US, Japan, the Philippines and other nations, while global economic losses could reach US$10 trillion, National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) wrote in an article published yesterday in Foreign Affairs. “The future of Taiwan is not merely a regional concern; it is a test of whether the international order can withstand the pressure of authoritarian expansionism,” Lin wrote in the article titled “Taiwan’s Plan for Peace Through Strength — How Investments in Resilience Can Deter Beijing.” Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) intent to take Taiwan by force
RSS