TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang responded on Monday (Oct. 23) to allegations that his actions led to TSMC's decision to abandon plans for constructing an advanced fab in its phase 3 expansion project in Longtan.
According to Chang, the premature disclosure of the project by DPP political figures, before the completion of land acquisition, resulted in significant discontent and complaints from local residents.
Chang's remarks come in the wake of criticism that the announcement of the project by DPP members Cheng Wen-tsan and Su Tseng-chang last year had caught many local residents off guard and left them feeling disrespected.
Chang argued that the timing of the announcement was not in line with standard procedures and was too early.
Meanwhile, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen expressed enthusiasm for TSMC's potential expansion and noted that several cities and counties have been vying for the chip manufacturer's attention.
Chung Chia-pin, a DPP legislator in Pingtung County, has also entered the competition by inviting officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs to consider Pingtung County as an alternative location for TSMC's advanced fab.
This dispute underscores the competition among localities to attract TSMC's investments and highlights the challenges faced by politicians seeking to balance economic development with the concerns of local communities.