Following the passage of significant legislation such as the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS Act) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022, the United States has intensified its efforts to contain China through technology policy. In addition to subsidizing domestic chip production, the United States is also focusing on funding advanced technology R&D, which will enhance the depth and breadth of information and communication technology (ICT) in the country, thereby widening the technological gap with China.

Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) is teaming up with Intel to build a cutting-edge semiconductor research hub, backed by a JPY 100 billion (US$700 million) investment. The facility, set to open by 2027, will focus on advanced semiconductor development.

Taiwan has started drilling its first deep geothermal exploration well in Yilan, in collaboration with Academia Sinica and CPC Corp. The well is expected to reach over 4 kilometers deep and will take about 18 months to complete. Its purpose is to provide a stable green energy source for data centers.