TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Vice President Lai Ching-te called for making Taiwan into the Silicon Valley of Asia at a dinner with Taiwanese expatriates in San Francisco on Wednesday (Aug. 16).
Laura Rosenberger, the chair of the American Institute in Taiwan, welcomed Lai during his transit back to the U.S. The latter thanked the United States for adhering to the principles of safety, comfort, and convenience, providing him with assistance for his transit.
In his speech to around 700 Taiwanese expatriates at dinner, Lai highlighted Taiwan's semiconductor industry achievements.
He cited a saying in the tech industry: "The closest place to Silicon Valley is neither Los Angeles nor Seattle, but science parks in Taiwan," which now means Taiwan's technology industry is closely tied to the global supply chain and plays an important role.
He also quoted the co-founder of YouTube, Steve Chen, saying," Taiwan has the best engineers, innovation, and venture capital. Taiwan can become Asia's Silicon Valley." Lai remarked that many Taiwanese work in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, representing the United States' innovative, free, and open economy.
He pointed out that Silicon Valley's innovation and freedom inspired them, which fueled the semiconductor industry, making Taiwan the leading country in the business. "Let's work together to make Taiwan the Silicon Valley of Asia," Lai said.
"We will continue to work hard, look forward, move forward, enter the international community, and embrace the future," Lai said. "We all share the same goal: to make Taiwan the MVP of the democratic world."
San Fransico is Lai's last destination before he returns after his seven-day trip to the United States and Paraguay. Lai visited Paraguay to attend President Santiago Peña inauguration.