Chinese military hovered as global executives flocked to Taiwan tech show
Global tech executives attended Taiwan’s Computex conference amid heightened military tensions with China, as Taiwan’s coast guard clashed with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea and Beijing sent 79 warplanes near the island. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed commitments to safeguarding the Taiwan Strait while emphasizing the island’s critical role in global AI and semiconductor manufacturing, including investments by Nvidia and AMD.
Taiwan’s Computex technology conference concluded last week with global executives, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and AMD CEO Lisa Su, highlighting the island’s pivotal role in AI and semiconductor production. During the event, Taiwan’s coast guard warned a Chinese vessel near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, stating that peace in the Taiwan Strait is essential for global economic and tech industry stability. China’s military presence intensified during Computex, with 79 Chinese warplanes operating near Taiwan over four days, underscoring risks to the global AI supply chain. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory and has increased military pressure, including a "joint combat readiness patrol" around the island on June 3. China’s defense ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Taiwan hosts TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker supplying Nvidia and Apple, as well as Foxconn, a key manufacturer for Nvidia’s AI hardware. Nvidia plans to invest about $150 billion annually in Taiwan, while AMD has pledged over $10 billion to the AI industry. Despite calls for supply chain diversification, experts warn of underestimation of a potential crisis, with David Feith of the Hudson Institute describing Beijing as the primary security threat. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, calling it an unwavering national policy. He emphasized Taiwan’s responsibility to the global tech supply chain during the Computex opening. The event also featured drone companies, including U.S. firm Anduril Industries, which collaborates with Taiwanese firms on missile development. Lai’s administration has prioritized drone technology as part of military modernization, with over 30 Taiwanese companies now integrated into Anduril’s supply chains. The convergence of tech innovation and military tensions reflects Taiwan’s dual role as a manufacturing powerhouse and a flashpoint in regional geopolitics.
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