TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The minister of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC, 國家科學及技術委員會) on Thursday (Nov. 28) pledged more funding for nuclear fusion research if scholars show interest. NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) made the statement during a review of the 2025 central government budget by the Education and Culture Committee (教育及文化委員會) of the Legislative Yuan (立法院).
Wu emphasized the council's openness to clean energy research, citing a 2015 government technology budget of approximately NT$159.5 billion, with NT$45 million allocated for fusion research. Meanwhile, Wu responded to concerns about Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC, 台積電) investments in the U.S., stressing Taiwan's ability to maintain the N-1 model, ensuring the most efficient research in advanced process technology remains in Taiwan.
Wu stated that Taiwan's advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology leads globally, attributing this to the favorable environment and science parks in Taiwan, which are unmatched abroad. He added that Taiwan's ongoing advancement in manufacturing technology benefits the global community, with no intention of relocating these technologies to other countries.