Taipei:China's ambition to achieve greater technological self-sufficiency could potentially elevate the risk of military conflict across the Taiwan Strait. A U.S. technology expert, Jimmy Goodrich, highlighted this concern, noting that increased self-sufficiency might reduce Beijing's dependence on international sanctions and supply chain vulnerabilities.

According to Focus Taiwan, Goodrich, a senior fellow at the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, discussed these risks during a conference in Taipei. He explained that China's reliance on global supply chains has historically deterred it from taking aggressive military actions. However, inspired by lessons from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China is working towards a "fortress economy" to withstand external pressures.

Goodrich emphasized that while he does not believe China desires war, circumstances such as crossed red lines or domestic pressures could compel action. He mentioned factors like President Xi Jinping's age, economic challenges, and potential political crises as elements that might influence Beijing's decisions.

China's growing investments in technology could challenge Taiwan's technological advantage. Goodrich, with his extensive experience in China's tech sector, highlighted Beijing's substantial investments in scientific infrastructure, which might lead to significant advancements in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and weapons systems. These developments could diminish Taiwan's "silicon shield" by eroding its technological lead.

During his presentation, Goodrich pointed out China's rapid advancements in memory chip production and competitiveness in mature-node chip manufacturing. However, China still faces hurdles in advanced chipmaking due to restrictions on acquiring extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines from Dutch firm ASML.

To preserve its technological lead, Goodrich urged Taiwan to enhance investments in research and workforce development. He suggested establishing joint innovation centers, akin to Belgium's imec, and fostering stronger scientific collaboration with the U.S. He also advocated for more Taiwanese companies to engage in research and development in America.