Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park

Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park administration building

The Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park (Chinese: 新竹科學工業園區; Hanyu Pinyin: Xīnzhú Kēxué Gōngyè Yuánqū; Tongyong Pinyin: Sīnjhú Kēsyué Gōngyè Yuáncyū) is an industrial park established by the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on December 15, 1980 to foster scientific and technological development. It straddles Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County in Taiwan.

Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park was founded by Kwoh-Ting Li, former Finance Minister of the 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 to attract funds to finance high-tech startups in Taiwan.

Overview

Hsinchu Science Park (HSP) is now one of the world's most significant centers 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, and the National Space Organization, the Taiwanese space agency, is located in the park. 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.

Locations

Currently, the Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park covers six locations:[4]

Major companies located in the park

See also

References

  1. ↑ Central News Agency (2007-06-26). "Hsinchu Science Park export value grows, large growth for optoelectronics". Department of Investment Services (Taiwan) (MOEA).
  2. ↑ National Science Council (2005). "Hsinchu Science Park". Government of Taiwan. Retrieved 7/12/2008. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ↑ Introduction to Wastewater Treatment Plant of Science Park
  4. ↑ http://www.sipa.gov.tw/english/index.jsp
  5. ↑ MXIC.com.tw
  6. ↑ PSC.com.tw
  7. ↑ Promos.com.tw
  8. ↑ National Science Council (2005). "Hsinchu Science Park". Government of Taiwan. Retrieved 7/12/2008. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

External links

Coordinates: 24°46′48″N 121°00′49″E / 24.78000°N 121.01361°E