'Taiwan Strait' tension continues... China's semiconductor supply 'boomerang'

SEOUL: Taiwan's counter-fire drills have begun in response to China's continuing blockade operation.

It is returning to China as a boomerang because it shakes Taiwan, one of the four major semiconductor powerhouses, too hard.

Taiwanese Army's howitzers fire at the sea.

It shows that it will not give in to China's massive containment drills.

China emphasized that it is focusing on containment, saying it is continuing practical training around Taiwan.

With the continued military confrontation and various economic retaliatory measures, cross-strait relations are reaching the worst.

[Joseph Wu / Taiwan Foreign Minister: The real intention of China behind these military exercises is to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the entire region.]

[Wang Wenbin / Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: The 'one China' principle is a clear definition of the phenomenon of the Taiwan Strait. Breaking it and challenging it changes the status quo.]

One of them is pressure to change exports labeled as made in Taiwan to made in China.

It is noteworthy that while China banned the export of natural sand, one of the raw materials for semiconductors, to Taiwan, it kept imports of semiconductors from Taiwan.

It is a warning that the Taiwan blockade and raw materials can control the semiconductor supply chain as a weapon, but also exposes the weakness of being dependent on semiconductor imports.

Just before the Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting, they appealed through the state-run media to strike a balance even if South Korea participates in Chip 4.

It is interpreted as a conciliatory measure to secure a supply chain through Korea in a situation where it has lost its back to the 'Chip 4' countries due to rough military action.

[Collin Carl / Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy: Taiwan is one of the most influential economic players on the planet. It produces 70-90% of semiconductors used in iPhones and laptops.]

While the US semiconductor siege, led by Chip 4, is coming to China, the excessive beating of Taiwan seems to be narrowing its position.