Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) founder Morris Chang (張忠謀) is to tout Taiwan’s semiconductor industry at next month’s APEC summit, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
Tsai addressed a news conference at the Presidential Office, announcing that Chang would represent Taiwan at the APEC economic leaders’ meeting in Bangkok on Nov. 18 and 19.
Chang would be representing the nation for the sixth time at the summit and the fifth time during Tsai’s administration.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
However, it is only the second summit he would be attending in person, after Chile canceled the 2019 summit due to public unrest, while the past two editions were held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nation’s presidents are barred from attending APEC summits due to Chinese opposition.
Tsai tasked Chang with conveying three messages to other APEC leaders during the summit, which is also to be attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).
First, Taiwan’s delegation should call on APEC members to recognize “differences of opinion” within the region and seek to strike a balance between free trade and fair competition, as well as between supply chain security and efficacy, and economic development and sustainability, she said.
Second, they should call attention to Taiwan’s “key influence” in global supply chains — especially in semiconductors — while conveying the nation’s willingness to work with regional partners to build safe, reliable and resilient supply chains, Tsai said.
Third, the delegation should express Taiwan’s determination to pursue sustainable economic development while also pushing for a green transition, workers’ welfare, women’s empowerment and social welfare, she added.
Chang told Tsai that he was honored to accept the appointment.
APEC is especially important at this challenging time and is perhaps the most important international forum for Taiwan to attend, he said.
Chang said he would convey Taiwan’s desire to build safe and resilient global supply chains with reliable partners, especially in semiconductors.
He said Taiwan has already done a lot to mitigate the effects of climate change, but it still has a long way to go, adding that the delegation would share Taiwan’s achievements with other nations.
Chang vowed to convey Tsai’s messages to other leaders at the summit, as well as during bilateral meetings and informal events to be held on the sidelines.
Minister Without Portfolio John Deng (鄧振中) and National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) are also to attend, the Presidential Office said.
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