Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang wrapped up a fast-paced 55-hour visit to Taiwan, underscoring the country's role in the global AI and semiconductor industries. During his stay from January 16 to 19, Huang engaged with top industry leaders, visited key manufacturing sites, and expressed his deep appreciation for the contributions of Taiwan's supply chain partners.
A Tribute to Taiwan's Supply Chain Leaders
On January 18, Huang hosted a high-profile luncheon in Taipei, attended by 36 top executives from Taiwan's leading technology companies. This rare gathering included Foxconn chairman Young Liu, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII) chairman Brand Cheng, Acer chairman Jason Chen, Quanta chairman Barry Lam and vice chairman C.C. Leung, Wistron chairman Simon Lin, Asus chairman Jonney Shih, ASRock president Lung-luen Hsu, Pegatron chairman TH Tung, MSI chairman Joseph Hsu, Inventec chairman Sam Yeh and president Jack Tsai, and more.
TSMC chairman Mark Liu, who had dined with Huang the day before, also joined the event.
During the luncheon, Huang joked about the group photo taken after the meal, where he and several others squatted in the front row. "The front row exercises. The back row does not exercise." he quipped, drawing laughter from the attendees.
Huang emphasized the critical contributions of these supply chain partners to Nvidia's technological innovations. He highlighted that 45 factories worldwide are currently operating 24/7 to build supercomputers powered by Nvidia's Grace and Blackwell chips. His primary goal for this visit, he stated, was to personally thank these partners for their efforts and lay the groundwork for an even more ambitious year ahead.
Jensen Huang and executives from Nvidia's top supply chain players. Credit: DIGITIMES
From Taichung to Taipei: a packed schedule
Huang's visit began on January 16 when he arrived in Taichung and attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for SPIL's new factory at the Tanzi Technology Industrial Park. It was his first visit to the city, and he took the opportunity to witness firsthand Taiwan's advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Later that evening, he visited the bustling Fengjia Night Market, though his stay was brief due to the large crowds.
On January 17, Huang traveled to Taipei, where he began his day with a meeting focused on diversity and inclusion with Nvidia Taiwan's female employees. He then met with TSMC Chairman Mark Liu, with discussions centering on AI and semiconductor innovation. That evening, Huang attended Lunar New Year banquets hosted by Wistron and Nvidia Taiwan, celebrating the achievements of the past year with partners and employees.
A personal touch: dinner with Morris Chang and night market visit
Following the luncheon on January 18, Huang visited TSMC founder Morris Chang and his wife Sophie Chang for a private dinner at their residence. The intimate gathering reflected the strong ties between the two industry leaders. Afterward, he made a stop at Taipei's Tonghua Night Market, where he revisited a favorite fruit stall and gifted the owner a red envelope, showcasing his approachable and down-to-earth nature.
Global strategy: preparing for the future
Huang's visit concluded on January 19, when he departed from Taipei Songshan Airport. Before leaving, he announced plans to return to Taiwan in May for Computex, the premier global IT exhibition. After a brief layover in Hong Kong, Huang traveled to Beijing to attend Nvidia's annual banquet for its Beijing office. During the event, he praised the local team for maintaining an industry-leading employee attrition rate of just 0.9%.
Huang's visit highlighted Taiwan's essential role in Nvidia's supply chain and the broader technology industry. By meeting with top executives and acknowledging their contributions, Huang reinforced the importance of collaboration in driving innovation and preparing for future challenges. His trip further affirmed Taiwan's status as a critical partner in the global semiconductor and AI ecosystem.