An inauguration ceremony for TSMC’s Global R&D Center, located in Hsinchu County’s Baoshan Township, was held today (July 28). Hsinchu County Mayor Yang Wen-Ke was invited to witness TSMC’s new milestone. Mayor Yang stated that the fast progress of Baoshan’s phase one and phase two expansion projects is an exemplar that witnessed collaboration between central and local governments. The mayor expressed hope that TSMC will continue its long-term commitment in Taiwan while upholding a global perspective and focusing on global expansion.
Honored guests attending the inauguration ceremony included Premier Chen Chien-Jen, National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Tsung-Tsong, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-Hua, and Hsinchu County Mayor Yang Wen-Ke. TSMC founder Morris Chang, Chairman Mark Liu, CEO C.C. Wei, and Director F.C. Tseng were also present, fully demonstrating the importance of the TSMC Global R&D Center.
Mayor Yang Wen-Ke stated that the launch of the TSMC Global R&D Center is a fantastic development that demonstrates TSMC’s goals of long-term commitment in Taiwan, worldwide perspective, and global deployment and echoes President Tsai’s policy direction of further strengthening Taiwan. Mayor Yang opined that TSMC has not only ushered in a new era in the field of technology but has also made a great contribution to local development. For example, according to recently released national household income statistics, among the 368 townships in Taiwan, Baoshan Township was ranked sixth, and Zhubei City maintained the top ranking.
Mayor Yang pointed out that the fast progress of Baoshan’s phase one and phase two expansion projects is noteworthy. Land acquisition for the Central Taiwan Science Park development projects was completed in only 10 months and 4 days, which was once a point of pride. However, Baoshan’s phase one and phase two expansion projects required only 8 months from land acquisition to the commencement of construction, demonstrating the efficiency of collaboration between central and local governments. Mayor Yang also related that the establishment of the TSMC Global R&D Center and associated advanced-process fabs, may affect the planning of Baoshan Township’s access road system. Fortunately, TSMC has promised to support relevant planning projects, and Mayor Yang is confident that traffic issues will be solved for the next 30 to 50 years. The mayor offered his congratulations on the smooth opening of the TSMC Global R&D Center and awaits innovative technology development in the future.
With the aim of building a prosperous outlook for Hsinchu County in the next 30 years, Mayor Yang has been active in attracting investments and funds from the private sector. The County Government team has demonstrated excellent performance in attracting investments over the years, and has been granted the “Award for Excellence in Investment Promotion” by the Ministry of Finance for five consecutive years. A case-based change of urban planning initiated by the Hsinchu County Government has played an important role in the establishment of the TSMC Global R&D Center in Baoshan Township, the opening of which will elevate Hsinchu County’s position as a world-class technology city.
To accomplish research and development for advanced manufacturing processes, TSMC carried out this expansion plan in Baoshan, covering an area of about 18.7 hectares. The expansion plan was categorized as a critical national development project, and facilitated through a case-based change of urban planning initiated by the Hsinchu County Government. The master plan was released for implementation on August 29, 2019, and the detailed plan was released for implementation on December 18, 2019. Hsinchu Science Park Administration carried out the plans in accordance with the requirements stipulated in urban planning provisions, and then leased the land to TSMC. The new TSMC Global R&D Center is expected to house 8,000 R&D engineers and will engage in fundamental research related to the most advanced semiconductor processes and various leading-edge technologies. It plays a key role in safeguarding the company’s technological leadership.
Hsinchu County has been notable for its rapid technology industry development in recent years, among which the AI industry is an important field for Taiwan’s global competitiveness in the future. Therefore, Mayor Yang has listed the establishment of Hsinchu County AI Smart Science Park as one of the “five arrows” of Hsinchu County’s major policies. Private sector investment in Hsinchu County AI Smart Science Park has reached NT$13.5 billion. It is estimated that the future production value will be higher than NT$100 billion, and it will create 4,000 jobs.
In the future, the AI and semiconductor industries are expected to undergo rapid development throughout the entire electronics industry chain. With the successive openings of the TSMC Global R&D Center and Hsinchu County AI Smart Science Park, coupled with the development of high-tech industrial parks in Hsinchu County, including Hsinchu Science Park, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park, Hsinchu Industrial Park, and Fengshan Industrial Park, Hsinchu County will play an increasingly important role in the world’s economic development.