On January 5, 2026, DSET hosted a delegation from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). The two sides exchanged views on Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chains, energy system resilience, international cooperation on drones, and ICT security.
During the meeting, DSET introduced its four main research programs and engaged in wide-ranging discussions on related issues. Tsaiying Lu, Director of Energy Resilience Program, noted that Taiwan’s power system is highly centralized and overly reliant on a limited number of substations for electricity transmission, creating structural vulnerabilities in the face of physical or cyber attacks. She explained that Taiwan is accelerating the development of distributed power systems and expanding transmission and distribution infrastructure. DSET is also examining ways to enhance the dispatch flexibility of offshore wind and solar power assets to better prepare for potential military blockade or isolation scenarios.
Nathanael Cheng, Policy Analyst in the Economic Security Program, pointed out that China’s rapid advances in mature-node semiconductor manufacturing, coupled with extensive subsidy policies, pose growing threats to the industrial competitiveness of democratic allies. DSET emphasized that democratic partner countries should move more quickly to adopt stronger regulatory measures to prevent circumvention of export controls and to jointly safeguard the long-term competitiveness of advanced technologies.
On ICT security, AI, and disinformation, Peter Tozzi, Policy Analyst in the Democratic Governance Program, noted that Taiwan’s critical infrastructure faces an average of approximately 2.6 million cyberattacks per day, with the energy and healthcare sectors among the primary targets. He added that Taiwan is actively exploring satellite communications backup options and working with allies to expand submarine cable infrastructure. DSET recommended further strengthening domestic submarine cable repair capabilities and establishing cross-border partnership platforms to enhance overall ICT security and resilience.
Regarding developments in Taiwan’s drone industry, Samara Duerr, Policy Analyst in the National Security Program, shared insights into the potential for supply chain cooperation between Taiwan and Ukraine. She noted that Taiwan is actively working to exclude China-made components and is leveraging Eastern European countries as transshipment hubs to deepen technical exchanges and secure key component supplies with Ukraine.
Members of the SIPA delegation expressed strong interest in and appreciation for DSET’s research, and both sides agreed to establish closer channels for future exchange and cooperation.
