Weekly Roundup: Intel and Samsung Foundry Alliance, 10 individuals charged in China espionage case, Renewables were 9.52% of Taiwan’s energy mix
Tech Spotlight
Meitu's MOKI AI tool simplifies creating short videos with customizable templates, AI-powered dubbing, and quick storyboarding, though improvements are needed in image quality, accuracy, and support for custom music. TechNode
Intel and Samsung are exploring a potential foundry alliance to challenge TSMC, with discussions focusing on process technology exchange, facility sharing, and R&D collaboration, as Intel aims to catch up with TSMC's 62.3% market share in the global foundry market. TechNode
A Taiwanese team led by NSYSU developed 4D sensing technology for 6G integration, enabling remote health monitoring and fall detection via Wi-Fi sensing, with future applications in autonomous vehicles and elderly care. Taiwan News
A research team from NTHU developed the world’s smallest optical quantum computer using a single photon, with potential applications in drug development, logistics, and cybersecurity. Taiwan News
AI Audio Focus uses MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 chip to eliminate background noise and focus on the main sound source, enhancing clarity with 8th-gen NPU technology. MediaTek
Politics
President Lai emphasized that energy conservation is the most effective form of energy and key to carbon reduction, while Taiwan aims to collaborate with China and other nations on climate challenges, promote energy-saving policies, and reach net-zero by 2050. Taipei Times
10 people in Taiwan, including a temple head, were indicted for spying for China, recruiting military personnel to pass on confidential military information in exchange for money, violating the National Security Act and other laws. Focus Taiwan
Taiwan will update its carbon reduction goals through 2032, aiming for more ambitious net-zero targets, focusing on green energy and carbon fees, building on the current goal of a 23-25% reduction by 2030. Focus Taiwan
The Health Ministry will invest NT$1.85 billion over four years to enhance food safety using AI for risk management, certification, and monitoring, under the “five strikes and seven safeties” agenda. Taipei Times
The Ministry of Digital Affairs will invest NT$100 million in 2025 to buy AI GPUs and support startups and SMEs through a free AI computing platform for development in areas like education and disaster prevention. Focus Taiwan
“The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.” -President Lai Ching-te
Finance Focus
PChome will give Uni-President a 30% stake in a NT$1.96 billion deal, securing two board seats, as part of Uni-President's digital investment strategy amid PChome's financial struggles. Taipei Times
Taiwan's semiconductor industry is set to grow 16.5% in 2025 to NT$6.17 trillion, driven by demand for AI and HPC, with the foundry sector leading at 20.1% growth, led by TSMC's advanced chips. Taipei Times
Industrial production grew 12.25% in Q3, driven by demand for AI chips, servers, and iPhone lenses, while manufacturing rose 13%, but traditional sectors like machine tools and auto parts lagged. Taipei Times
New mortgages from Taiwan's major banks rose to NT$111.046 billion in September, up 14.79%, with the average mortgage rate dropping to 2.19%. Taipei TImes
Global Focus
Denmark now requires Taiwanese nationals to list China as their nationality and birthplace on identification documents, reflecting Denmark's stance of not recognizing Taiwan as a country, sparking concerns about a shift toward Beijing's "one-China" policy. Taiwan News
Defense Minister Wellington Koo said the US policy of strategic ambiguity deters Chinese aggression and affirmed Taiwan's readiness to counter a Chinese blockade if necessary. Taiwan News
Taiwan is backed by the US, Japan, and others in rejecting South Africa's demand to move its office from Pretoria to Johannesburg, citing Chinese pressure and a breach of a 1997 agreement. Taiwan News
Taiwan in Numbers
Taiwan's population is projected to drop from 23.4 million in 2024 to 14.97 million by 2070, with a shrinking workforce and growing elderly population; the NDC proposes a NT$50-100 billion budget to address this. Focus Taiwan
Taiwan's unemployment rate fell to 3.43% in September, a 24-year low, as the graduation season ended. The number of unemployed dropped by 7,000 to 412,000, with the highest jobless rate among those aged 20-24 at 12.14%. Focus Taiwan
In 2023, renewable energy made up 9.52% of Taiwan’s total energy mix, with solar, wind, and hydro being the key contributors. TWTape
Our Latest Release
The industrial sector consumes the most electricity in Taiwan, driven by high energy demand from…
In contrast, agriculture and transport contribute only a small amount of electricity use, making up a minor share of overall consumption. The government is expected to continue…
Multiple data and trend analysis available in our full article:
Taiwan’s Energy Trend: A More Sustainable Future
Taiwan faces energy shortages during peak seasons, especially in the summer when electricity demand rises sharply.
Taiwan’s Weather Update
This Week’s Recap
October 21 (Monday): Passing showers, highs of 29°C, lows of 24°C, light rain with about 2.8mm.
October 22 (Tuesday): Overcast with evening showers, 30°C during the day, 23°C at night, minimal rain.
October 23 (Wednesday): Cloudy with scattered showers, 28°C high, 22°C low, light rain.
October 24 (Thursday): Overcast, possible showers, highs of 27°C, lows of 22°C.
October 25 (Friday): Cloudy, occasional light showers, 27°C during the day, 21°C at night.
October 26 (Saturday): Cloudy with possible rain, highs of 28°C, lows around 22°C.
October 27 (Sunday): Overcast with light showers, 27°C high, 21°C low.
Next Week’s Forecast
October 28 (Monday): Overcast, light rain expected, 26°C during the day, 21°C at night.
October 29 (Tuesday): Passing showers, cooler at 25°C, with lows around 20°C.
October 30 (Wednesday): Overcast, light showers likely, highs of 25°C, lows of 20°C.
October 31 (Thursday): Heavy rain possible, flash flood risk, temps around 25°C/21°C.
November 1 (Friday): Stormy, isolated thunderstorms, 26°C high, 22°C low.
November 2 (Saturday): Cloudy, isolated storms possible, highs of 26°C, lows of 21°C.
November 3 (Sunday): Overcast with heavy rain likely, daytime 25°C, nighttime 20°C.