Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park
| Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park |
| Chinese |
新竹科學工業園區 |
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Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park (Chinese: 新竹科學工業園區) is an industrial park established by the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on December 15, 1980 with investment from the Kuomintang. It straddles Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County on the island of Taiwan.
Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park was founded by Kwoh-Ting Li, former Finance Minister of Republic of China. Inspired by Silicon Valley in the United States, Li consulted Frederick Terman, on how Taiwan could follow its example. From there, Li convinced talents who had gone abroad to build companies in this new Silicon Valley in Taiwan. Among those who returned is Morris Chang, who later leads the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and founded the TSMC. Li also introduced the concept of venture capital to the country in the effort to attract funds to finance the startups in the science part.
Overview
Hsinchu Science Park (HSP) is now one of the world's most significant areas for semiconductor manufacturing. More than 400 high-tech companies, mainly involved in the semiconductor, computer, telecommunication, and optoelectronics industries, have been established in the park since the end of December 2003.[1] Its 400 technology companies accounted for 10% of Taiwan's gross domestic product in 2007. It is home to the world's top two semiconductor foundries, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), both of which were established at the nearby Industrial Technology Research Institute. Taiwan is the only country that possesses a professional division-of-labor system in the semiconductor industry and also has the highest density of 12-inch wafer-producing fabs, most of which are based in the park.[2] Next door to the science park are two of Taiwan's science and engineering powerhouses, National Chiao Tung University and National Tsing Hua University. There is also a science-themed amusement park nearby.
There were local residents' protests against water and air pollution. The Park's industrial wastewater treatment plant[3] began to operate in 1986, and environmental protection department monitors the air quality around the Park.
Major companies located in the park
See also
References
External links