The Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET) welcomed participants of the “FAPA Taiwan Trek: Emerging Leaders Workshop,” organized by the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), for an in-depth introduction to the center’s mission, research focus, and policy engagement in international relations and emerging technologies. DSET CEO Dr. Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang warmly greeted the organizers and delegates, expressing his enthusiasm for future collaboration with young leaders in emerging technology, geopolitics, and security.
It was the first time that FAPA hosted the workshop in Taiwan, and the“Emerging Leaders Workshop,” previously held in the United States over the past eight sessions. The program selected 16 promising young American leaders with backgrounds in Taiwan’s geopolitical and security affairs, U.S.-Taiwan relations, international trade, cultural history, and global engagement. Delegates are alumni or current students from prestigious institutions including Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government & Public Service, Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and the Pardee RAND Graduate School. They also represent key think tanks and government agencies such as the RAND Corporation, GLOBSEC, the U.S. Department of Defense (Office of the Under Secretary for Policy), and the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS).
During the visit, DSET presented its latest research in critical areas such as regional semiconductor supply chains, national energy security and sustainability, and the intersection of emerging technologies with democratic development. The center also highlighted its collaborative efforts with North American think tanks and policy research organizations.
On energy sustainability, Dr. Tsaiying Lu, Director of DSET’s Sustainable Resilience Division, responded to delegates’ questions by outlining Taiwan’s strategies for reducing energy dependence and diversifying energy imports. She further elaborated on Taiwan’s growing ties with foreign partners in energy and technological development and the island’s strengths in renewable energy R&D, manufacturing, and international collaboration, particularly with European nations.
The National Security Program at DSET also shared the research outcome of the upcoming report on Taiwan-US drone collaboration. The research highlights the progress on the secondary systematic cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. despite the industry at the sprouting phase. DSET hopes this brief introduction will encourage the participants to further promote the Taiwan-U.S. drone collaboration in Washington, D.C.
Addressing Taiwan’s role in advanced and emerging technology supply chains and the geopolitical risks that may impact the island’s industrial stability, Dr. Chang emphasized Taiwan’s continued global leadership in advanced semiconductor manufacturing despite China’s gains under the “Made in China 2025” initiative. He introduced findings from DSET’s recent report, “The Great Siege: The PRC’s Comprehensive Strategy to Dominate Foundational Chips,” introducing the concept of the “Pseudo-IDM Model.” This model describes how the Chinese government, through massive subsidies and the government’s direct influence on the market and the overall industry, seeks to reduce production costs, then boost the international competitiveness of Chinese products in the supply chain, and increase the dependency of democratic states on its products and threaten their national security.
