TAIPEI (TVBS News) - TSMC founder Morris Chang shared his views on the CBS 60 Minutes program released on Oct. 9, saying that the mutually beneficial semiconductor industry is perhaps why cross-strait relations have remained stable in recent years.
"We rely on these, as does the rest of the world, for things like iPhones, advanced computers, and car components," CBS 60 Minutes host Lesley Stahl asked the 91-year-old TSMC's founder.
She asked Chang why many people here think the chips protect them from Xi Jinping's attack. "I've heard this expression, silicon shield or chip shield," talking about the world's largest contract chipmaker and a major Apple Inc. supplier.
"It means that, perhaps, because our company provides a lot of chips to the world, I think maybe somebody will refrain from attacking it," replied Chang. "If that person's priority is for economic well-being, they will refrain from attacking," he added, hinting at the Chinese president.
"What if the priority is to come here and nationalize your company? Within, you know, one China," Stahl remarked.
"If there's a war, it will be destroyed; everything will be destroyed," added Chang.