On this episode of China Field Notes, Scott Kennedy speaks with Jack Chang, one of the world’s foremost experts on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry. They discuss the industry in-depth, from the original policies that led to the establishment of companies like TSMC and UMC to disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic. The conversation then shifts to the current semiconductor landscape, including the challenges of U.S.-China tensions, increasing overseas investments, and debates about the meaning of supply chain resilience. Finally, they discuss future industry trends, including shifts to more advanced nodes and the exploration of alternative semiconductor materials like germanium.

Dr. Jack C. Chang recently retired from the Industry, Science and Technology International Strategy Center of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Chutung, Taiwan, after 34 years of service. Most recently, he was senior strategy executive director for sustainability. During his tenure at ITRI, Chang served as principal investigator of various technology, policy & market research projects from public and private sectors. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Graduate Institute of Patent of the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Taipei.