【Successful Screening of The Builders of Taiwan at The University of Queensland!】
The University of Queensland Graduate and Undergraduate Taiwanese Students Association (UQGUTS) hosted a special screening of the documentary The Builders of Taiwan on 4 September at The University of Queensland, bringing together members of Queensland’s academic community and friends of Taiwan.
Director-General William Fan of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane was invited to deliver remarks at the screening. He thanked UQGUTS President Max, his team and all the volunteers for their dedication in bringing this important Taiwanese film to the UQ campus. He also commended the initiative as a meaningful example of people-to-people exchange and youth engagement in public diplomacy.
Director-General Fan noted that The Builders of Taiwan is more than a film about semiconductors—it is a story of innovation, vision and perseverance, and of generations of Taiwanese people working together to build Taiwan into a global technology leader.Taiwan’s semiconductor success has been built on long-term investment in talent, research and innovation, as well as close cooperation among government, academia and industry. Today, Taiwan produces around 60% of the world’s semiconductors and more than 90% of the most advanced chips, placing Taiwan at the centre of the global technology ecosystem amid the rapid development of AI.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is not only an engine of economic growth, but also a “Silicon Shield” that contributes to Taiwan’s security and resilience. As Taiwan expands its semiconductor manufacturing footprint in the United States, Europe, Japan and other locations, this strength is evolving into a “Silicon Umbrella” that helps strengthen the resilience of critical technology supply chains together with democratic partners.
Director-General Fan also highlighted the strong complementarity between Taiwan and Australia. Australia brings world-class capabilities in research, critical minerals and energy, while Taiwan has strong expertise in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and global supply chains. There is significant potential for closer cooperation in supply-chain resilience, technology, industry and talent development, enabling both sides to seize the opportunities presented by AI while responding to geopolitical challenges.He also expressed hope that Australia’s business, academic and political communities will continue to support Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Taiwan stands ready to contribute its high standards, expertise and experience to regional economic integration and to a more resilient, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The Builders of Taiwan portrays the challenging early years of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and the determination of the pioneers who persevered despite immense uncertainty and obstacles. Their spirit of “success at all costs” and decades of dedication deeply moved audiences at the screening, with some guests visibly touched by the stories behind Taiwan’s “Silicon Mountain” and gaining a deeper appreciation of Taiwan’s technological capabilities and the people who built them.
We sincerely thank everyone who joined us in supporting Taiwanese cinema and look forward to more opportunities for Australians to see, understand and connect with Taiwan through film and cultural exchange, further strengthening the friendship and people-to-people ties between Taiwan and Australia.
From a small island to a critical force in the global technology ecosystem, Taiwan’s story continues to be written—and we continue to “build mountains.”
