Search

The article focuses on the contribution of high technology companies in Taiwan to the economic growth of the country. Topics covered include the efforts of Taiwanese engineer Miin Wu in forming computer chips manufacturer Macronix International Co. in Taiwan in 1989 by mixing a U.S. technology base with Taiwanese manufacturing technology and the increase in numbers of technology firms in the country that are run by Taiwanese engineers and scientists who have returned from the U.S. with skills. INSET: Taiwan's Valley Boys.

This article reports that China is acting belligerently toward Taiwan because it fears the democracy in Taiwan could spread to China. Taiwan has less than 2% of the population of China. Not from any threat to Chinese unity: Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui does not advocate political independence for his island, nor does he deny that it is Chinese. Taiwan's threat to Beijing, China is moral rather than material--and therefore perhaps a greater threat. The free election for president on Taiwan on March 23 highlights the embarrassing contrast between the modern society on Taiwan and the primitive one in China.

The article focuses on the economic and political condition of Taiwan as of 1989. Throughout the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, Taiwan's standard of living developed rapidly, thanks to the laissez-faire economic system allowed by Chiang Kai-shek, President of the Republic of China and the director of Kuomintang, and later his son, Chiang Ching-kuo. But while the Chiangs went along with economic freedom, they retained, through their somewhat sinister Kuomintang apparatus, tight control over Taiwan's political system. Now, that authoritarian concentration of political power is cracking under the weight of the successful decentralized economy--yet another confirmation that there really is a difference between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. INSET: Nipponophilia (discusses Taiwan's shoppers)..

The article focuses on mercantilism, an economic system adopted by Taiwan in its struggle for economic progress. As an economic system, mercantilism led the government of Taiwan to adopt wise policies especially in producing and exporting products. Mercantilist and thrifty ways of Taiwan led the country to economic progress and serve as a good example for other Third World countries in overcoming their problem on poverty.

The article focuses on Y.C. Wang, Taiwan's leading industrialist and one of the world's wealthiest men. He is an industrialist cut from an older capitalist mode. Wang makes a handsome return from polyvinyl chloride. Wang and his family directly own at least 25% of Formosa Plastics Group, 20% of Nan Ya Plastics Corp. and 30% of Formosa Chemicals & Fiber Corp. Wang insists every fresh graduate he hires dirty his hands in factories for six months before working in the headquarters. Wang's English is limited to a few terms like "welcome" and "no problem." The rise from poverty to riches required an intensive concentration that did not leave much time for book learning.

The article discusses the development and operations of notebook computer manufacturer Quanta Computer Inc. based in Taiwan. Topics covered include the use by Quanta of ghost manufacturers, the engineering talent assigned to its contracts, and the evolution of Taiwan's electronics factories. Also mentioned is the flexible manufacturing lines designed by Quanta founder Barry Lam.

The article focuses on the automobile parts in Taiwan. The industry, a $400 million-a-year exporter, is well developed. Assembly-line wage rates, around $3 an hour, including fringe benefits, are just 25% of Japan's and on a par with Korea's. The island's competitive and expanding steel industry should provide plenty of raw material. Through Ford Lio Ho Motor Co. Ltd., a 70%-owned local subsidiary, Ford will begin exporting 30,000 cars a year in 1986 after expanding its local plants. Ford will export the Laser, a car with a 1500cc engine.

Presents an interview with Taiwan's Premier Vincent Siew. His response to comments made by President Bill Clinton about Taiwan while visiting China; Relations between Taiwan and China; Taiwan's economic growth independent of foreign capital; Siew's comments on how long it will take Asia to recover from the 1998 financial crisis; Why Taiwan has fared better than other countries in Asia.

This article presents information on Morris Chang, founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. In 1984 Morris Chang, a China-born Stanford and MIT-educated electrical engineer then president of General Instrument Corp., saw a niche developing in the integrated circuit industry. Many talented semiconductor engineers were leaving big chip companies like Texas Instruments and Intel and setting up their own design houses in Silicon Valley. In 1987 Chang formed Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., a foundry joint venture between the Taiwan government and Holland's Philips Electronics N.V., with the government putting up most of the capital. Chang set up the company in Hsinchu, the island's high-tech industrial zone, and installed himself as chairman.

The article focuses on the economic condition of Taiwan which they find themselves caught in a dangerous liquidity trap. The Taiwanese are throwing their money at the local stock and property markets. Their Stock Exchange index has doubled since in the middle 1985 which sets new records everyday. The best solution for their excess liquidity problem would be the government to liberalize the economy especially its capital markets by the central bank.

The article focuses on Robin Hall, a onetime London investment banker in his experience as an investor. Hall was the who founded the Taiwan Fund, the first foreign fund that was permitted to invest in Taiwan. Hall stresses that for 20 years he was able to manage an investment in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. However, he had encountered problems with the Taiwan's financial jungle. Hall describes Taipei market has a riddle with stock manipulation in which standard financial market does not exist.

Focuses on the computer company Via Technologies, a semiconductor design house in Taiwan. Its business creating chips for Micron Electronics; Comments of Chen Wen-chi, Via's president; Competition with Intel; Rise in Via's Taiwan Stock exchange.

Focuses on the chipmaking industry in Taiwan which is expected to grow by 25 percent a year during the first decade of 21st century. Expected growth in earnings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. and United Microelectronics Corp.; Who pioneered the concept of the dedicated foundry; What fuels the idea of chipmaking foundries.

Recommends investing in Taiwanese companies. The slumping of Taiwan's stock market in 1995 and early 1996; Its March 1996 presidential elections and growing tension because of China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan; Peter Kurz of Baring Securities speculating pressure from China will die down; Reasons why he thinks that Taiwan's Acer Inc. is a good bet; Recommendation to consider the closed-end funds ROC Taiwan and Taiwan Fund.