Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) founder Morris Chang (張忠謀) received one of the nation’s highest medals of honor yesterday in recognition of his achievements as the founder of TSMC and envoy to APEC.
Known as the “godfather” of the nation’s chip industry, Chang founded TSMC three decades ago, building it into a multibillion-dollar company that today is a leader in making the microchips that power everything from smartphones to artificial intelligence.
The Order of Dr Sun Yat-sen is the highest honor the government can confer on a person who is not a head of state, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said when she presented the medal to Chang.
Photo: Taipei Times
Describing the 92-year-old as a “great entrepreneur” and a “good friend,” Tsai thanked Chang for “letting the world see Taiwan with technology, innovation and enthusiasm.”
“Because of [TSMC] founder Chang, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has become world-class,” Tsai said. “He is also committed to localizing the supply chain, leading the development of the ‘sacred mountain’ protecting Taiwan.”
Chang had also represented Taiwan six times at the APEC summits, most recently in San Francisco last year.
“As a leader’s envoy at the APEC, he let the world know Taiwan is a capable partner worthy of trust and cooperation, and let the world know the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a presence that cannot be ignored,” she said.
Chang thanked Tsai for the recognition, adding that his creation of TSMC “established a model of a world-class technology company in Taiwan, and made some contributions to Taiwan’s economic growth.”
TSMC was the miraculous aggregation of his personal desire to create a semiconductor company and the Taiwanese government’s willingness to support such firms, he said.
“I want to share the honor with everyone at TSMC,” he said, acknowledging the guests present at the ceremony who worked with him at TSMC before his retirement.
The company flourished during an era of free trade, but in recent years globalization has been facing challenges, he said, calling on TSMC’s leaders to exercise their wisdom to allow the firm to compete fairly in the world market.
He also urged the government and other sectors to work together to ease the challenges of land, electricity, water and talent shortages facing the industry.
Also present at the event were president-elect William Lai (賴清德), vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and American Institute in Taiwan Director Sandra Oudkirk.
Besides Chang, two of Taiwan’s former vice presidents, Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) and Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), received the order, which the Presidential Office described as “a token of thanks to those who make outstanding contributions to this country.”
In 2018 — the year Chang stepped down as TSMC’s chief executive officer — he was awarded the Order of Propitious Clouds for his part in developing the nation’s high-tech sector.
Additional reporting by CNA
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