Taiwan’s tech leaders discuss global strategy at Wangdao Forum

台灣科技領導人在王道永續論壇探討全球策略

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's top technology leaders shared their views on evolving international business conditions at the annual Wangdao Business Forum, held at National Chengchi University on Friday.

Speakers discussed how geopolitical risks and an ongoing tariff war are contributing to a trend of “deglobalization.” Acer founder Stan Shih (施振榮) said businesses should embrace the “common good" and "spirit of altruism" when dealing with international partners, per CNA.

Shih said internationalization requires Taiwanese companies to play the role of global citizens and create value. He added that sustainable development can only be achieved when prosperity and the overall good are shared with international partners, in a press release issued on the day of the forum.

Pegatron Chair Tung Tzu-hsien (童子賢) supported Shih's views. He said the success of the US was due to tolerance and integration, not tariffs.

Tung said industries are not "born out of thin air," as numerous conditions support the development of industries. He said Taiwan's leadership in technology and semiconductors is due to bosses such as Acer's Stan Shih, TSMC's Morris Chang (張忠謀), and the father of immersion lithography, Lin Burn-jeng (林本堅).

Tung urged Taiwan to seize opportunities for industrial development and continue accumulating competitive advantages. He said Taiwan is already active in many advanced industries, including AI, electric vehicles, and advanced chips, and should continue to invest in these industries.

According to Tung, AI will drive the development of semiconductors and edge computing over the next decade. Taiwan, he said, is in a favorable position, as semiconductors have become a new type of strategic material, no less important than oil.

However, he reminded the audience that not all countries continue to progress, and prosperity is not a gift from God. He said the world is changing, economic sectors are shifting, while the US tariff war will impact the world, as "deglobalization" will bring new challenges.

Tung said technological and manufacturing capabilities will become the basic strength of a nation. Thus, talent, computing power, and electricity will determine a country's competitiveness.

Lee Swee-huat (李瑞華), former TSMC vice president and professor at National Chengchi University, said business leaders should cultivate the Confucian saying, "inner sage and outer king." He urged people to look within themselves and practice self-cultivation while outwardly expanding their influence to benefit the world.

Lee said the right path for enterprises is pursuing honest profits while avoiding corruption. He urged all businesses to follow the principles of ESG to achieve the right balance.