Taiwan: the number one in semiconductors warns China that threatens the island

The Taiwanese flag next to that of TSMC at the technology group's headquarters in Hsinchu, Taiwan, October 5, 2017. © Eason Lam/REUTERS

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1 min

In Taiwan, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited a semiconductor factory.

These electronic chips which are the hardware base of modern computing.

The stakes are enormous: Taiwan is a giant in this field.

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Taiwan produces more than half of the world's semiconductor needs, far exceeding Europe and the United States.

Between them, they supply only 10% of the needs of the international market.

Even the Asian neighbors are far behind Taiwanese production. 

These small silicon chips are used absolutely everywhere: in our computers, our smartphones and even in medical equipment.

So if a Chinese invasion takes place, the consequences could be very significant.

And this, " 

" warned the boss of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC),

.

The factory of the world needs semiconductors, which is very dependent on imports in this field.

Sand exports halted

But this call has not yet been heard by China.

In retaliation for

, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce halted its natural sand exports to Taiwan.

Sand is an essential component in the manufacture... of semiconductors. 

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