President William Lai (賴清德) should protect Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), and stop supporting domestic strife and discord, former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrote on Facebook yesterday.
US President Donald Trump and TSMC on Monday jointly announced that the company would invest an additional US$100 billion over the next few years to expand its semiconductor manufacturing operations in the US.
The TSMC plans have promoted concern in Taiwan that it would effectively lead to the chipmaking giant becoming Americanized.
Photo: Bloomberg
The Lai administration lacks tangible policies to address concerns that Taiwan might follow in Ukraine’s footsteps, Ma wrote.
Instead, it seems to think it could continue to espouse pro-Taiwanese independence ideals to the international community and divide the country by “selling” the TSMC to the US as a “protection fee,” he said.
Lai must act as the president of the Republic of China, observe and abide by the Constitution and protect the strategically important TSMC, he said.
The public must be of one mind if Taiwan is to react to international changes, Ma said, adding that if Lai cannot realize those goals, he has betrayed the trust of Taiwanese and severely damaged Taiwan’s interests.
Separately yesterday, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅崑萁) said that Lai’s support for recall petitions targeting KMT legislators was divisive.
Lai’s focus on domestic politics and neglect over the US’ attempts to turn TSMC into “American Semiconductor Manufacturing Company” are misplaced, Fu said.
“Where would Taiwan’s safety be when it no long has its ‘sacred mountain protecting the nation’ (護國神山)?” Fu asked, referring to TSMC’s portrayal as a buttress against devastation.
The Trump administration yesterday halted US military aid to Ukraine, while international media are comparing Ukraine to Taiwan, Fu said.
Lai’s “despotic” ways have backed Taiwan into a corner, Fu said, adding that he doubts whether Taiwanese would be able to abide an increase in annual military spending as demanded by Trump.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
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