Article

2022-04-03 China-Japan-Koreas

Taiwan's ‘silicon shield': Why island may not be the next Ukraine

[Aljazeera] Taipei, Taiwan — Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Taiwan’s security has been on the lips of policymakers and analysts the world over, amid predictions China could one day follow Moscow’s lead and attempt to take over the island nation.

Both Taiwan and Ukraine are young democracies, whose national identity and political independence face the threat of aggression from a neighbouring superpower.

Taiwan, however, has a little-discussed secret weapon that Ukraine did not have — a dominance in manufacturing semiconductors that some analysts say could prove crucial in deterring an invasion by Beijing.

An invasion of Taiwan could trigger unprecedented global economic fallout due to the island’s position as arguably the most vulnerable single point of failure in the technology value chain.

Taipei’s "silicon shield" makes the stakes especially high for China. While Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to reclaim the self-ruled island by force if necessary, Beijing relies heavily on Taiwanese technology to power key industries that it is banking on to double its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.

"Taiwan’s integrated deterrence strategy must keep this stark choice between national objectives for Beijing clear," Jared McKinney, a scholar at Air University, told Al Jazeera. "Either conquer Taiwan or maintain economic prosperity."

"A question delayed is an invasion denied," McKinney said.

Posted by Besoeker 2022-04-03 02:36|| || Front Page|| [11137 views ] Top

#1 Taiwan would do well to completely disregard American 'experts'. They should keep their fingers crossed and butts clenched. And if possible develop a nuclear deterrent.

The only thing keeping China from invading them is a lack of courage and the nagging doubt that the world itches for payback for COVID, the smiling faces at the WHO notwithstanding.

Posted by Dron66046 2022-04-03 04:37|| 2022-04-03 04:37|| Front Page Top

#2 I wonder if there is a significant day in history for China to think it was time to move on Taiwan. The Arab world thinks this way perhaps China does as well. All the bluster and posturing of China must serve some future purpose. This is an obsession with China as strong an obsession shown by Putin. All neighbors hold China at arms length. They can never be trusted. Even among their own people they prefer countries where they don't compete with their own people.

Posted by Dale 2022-04-03 06:06|| 2022-04-03 06:06|| Front Page Top

#3 May not continue to be a shield.

UK Govt Allows Sale of Largest Microchip Factory to Communist Chinese-Owned Firm: Report

Posted by Skidmark 2022-04-03 10:37|| 2022-04-03 10:37|| Front Page Top

#4 Taiwan's chip manufacturing is no more important than South Korea or Japans or Singapores and it is only there or four years ahead of China (which was cut off from new tech by Trump).

Look around the American Southwest and you'll notice East Asian chip manufacturers are building new plants in New Mexico and Texas. Possibly a coincidence, probably insurance.

Posted by ruprecht 2022-04-03 16:06|| 2022-04-03 16:06|| Front Page Top

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