Chinese Military Activity Shadows Computex Tech Show in Taiwan

Global technology executives gathered in Taiwan last week for the Computex trade show as Chinese military aircraft and coast guard vessels continued operations around the island.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said it detected 79 Chinese military aircraft near Taiwan between June 2 and June 5, the period of the annual technology exhibition. The activity was part of a broader pattern of Chinese military operations around Taiwan that has intensified in recent years.

Computex is one of the world’s largest technology trade shows and a key annual meeting for the semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries, bringing together senior industry figures and highlighting Taiwan’s central role in technology supply chains.

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang underscored the island’s importance ahead of Computex, describing Taiwan as “the epicenter of the ecosystem” for advanced technology manufacturing.

“Taiwan is incredible at manufacturing, especially technology manufacturing,” Huang said.

Huang also said Nvidia’s spending with Taiwanese suppliers and partners could reach about $150 billion annually, up from roughly $10 billion to $15 billion several years ago, reflecting growing demand for AI infrastructure.

Taiwan is home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest contract chipmaker. The company produces advanced semiconductors used in products developed by firms including Nvidia and Apple.

President Lai Ching-te addressed the opening of Computex, saying Taiwan had become indispensable to the development of AI. According to Taiwan’s presidential office, Lai said his government would continue to maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait.

“The government will firmly safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and is committed to maintaining the status quo,” Lai said.

Separately, Taiwan’s coast guard reported a confrontation with a Chinese coast guard vessel near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Island in the South China Sea on the final day of the exhibition.

According to the coast guard, Taiwanese personnel issued radio warnings after the Chinese vessel approached restricted waters near the island. One transmission stressed that peace in the Taiwan Strait was important to both the global economy and the technology industry.

China regards democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s people can decide their future.

The latest incidents follow a series of encounters around Pratas Island. Earlier this year, Taiwanese authorities announced plans to strengthen defenses there after reporting increased Chinese coast guard activity in surrounding waters.

Taiwanese officials have frequently described such operations as “gray zone” tactics, referring to actions that increase pressure without crossing the threshold into open conflict.

Chinese military activity around Taiwan has also continued beyond major political and economic events. In recent years, Beijing has conducted large-scale exercises following visits by foreign officials and statements by Taiwanese leaders that China considers provocative.

Executives from major technology companies, including Intel and South Korea’s SK Group, attended Computex.

Palmer Luckey, founder of U.S. defense technology company Anduril Industries, also visited Taiwan and told state-run Central News Agency that around 30 Taiwanese companies were part of his firm’s supply chain.

Taiwan has increasingly promoted domestic drone production and other defense-related technologies as part of a broader military modernization program under Lai’s administration.

On the Wednesday following Computex, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported another Chinese joint combat readiness patrol near the island.

Reuters contributed to this report.