The grand trend of history is that unity follows division, and division leads to unity again—this perfectly applies to Johor and Singapore

The artificial intelligence (AI) wave led by Nvidia has continuously driven rapid development in data centers and advanced semiconductor supply chains in recent years. As Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated, the company is no longer just a chip design firm but an integrated hardware-software solution provider. The rise of sovereign AI has become a core strategy for countries competing on the global AI stage. DIGITIMES recently conducted an in-depth field investigation in Singapore to observe its AI ecosystem development and government strategies, trying to provide deep insights into the AI race through the Taiwanese perspective

Just across the narrow Johor Strait from Singapore lies Malaysia's Johor state, a region that for decades has shared deep economic ties with the city-state. Yet despite their geographic closeness and complementary strengths, integration between the two economies has remained superficial — a missed opportunity that, until now, has prevented the area from reaching its full industrial potential

Taiwan's Zhong Yang Technology is pivoting from smartphones to automotive applications, betting on mandatory driver monitoring systems to fuel growth as the mobile market saturates

Networking equipment maker Accton Technology has approved an additional US$42.53 million investment in its Vietnam manufacturing facility, significantly boosting its production capacity to meet growing customer demand and navigate shifting global trade policies. With this latest injection, the company's total investment in its Vietnam operations will reach US$94.03 million

Vietnam is embarking on its most extensive administrative restructuring since 1945, aiming to boost efficiency and reduce public sector costs. The country's National Assembly has approved a sweeping consolidation plan that will reduce its current 63 provinces and municipalities to just 34, comprising 28 provinces and six centrally governed cities, reports AFP and VNA. The move, overwhelmingly supported with 461 votes in favor, is part of the government's broader effort to streamline bureaucracy and modernize governance structures

Vietnamese EV maker VinFast has committed to purchasing all contracted products from local supply chain partners as part of its strategy to deepen domestic integration and enhance global competitiveness, according to The Investor. The company will also support local suppliers in connecting with international firms to improve technology and build global supply chain experience

Tatung has reported an over 4% year-over-year rise in May 2025 revenue, thanks to significant demand for its electronic manufacturing services (EMS) from customers reacting to US tariffs, as well as stable shipments of power equipment

Following its 2024 acquisition of a local photovoltaic and energy storage project in the Philippines, ATE Energy recently secured two renewable energy bidding projects from the Philippine government, marking another milestone in advancing its presence in the country's renewable energy sector

On June 11, 2025, VS Industry announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025, reporting sales of MYR909.4 million (US$214.87 million), down 10% year-over-year from MYR1.01 billion in the same quarter last year. The company's gross profit also fell sharply by nearly 32% to MYR70.9 million, while operating income dropped 44.12% to MYR39.9 million. Net profit declined 56.25% to MYR23.8 million, reflecting mounting pressure on margins and overall profitability

Qualcomm has officially launched an artificial intelligence (AI) research and development center in Vietnam, focusing on generative AI and AI agent solutions across smartphones, PCs, extended reality (XR), automotive, and IoT sectors

Passive component inductor giant Trio Technology announced that its operations returned to normal shipment levels in May 2025, following the urgent order effect caused by the China-US tariff war tapering off. Looking ahead, with AI applications accelerating their shift from cloud to edge computing, the company expects steady growth in both inductor specifications and usage volume. The addition of new product lines, such as transient voltage suppressor inductors, is also expected to contribute to stable operational expansion

China is ramping up trade ties with ASEAN and the EU as US-China tensions deepen and global supply chains continue to shift. According to June 2025 data from the General Administration of Customs, China's total trade reached CNY17.94 trillion (US$2.5 trillion) in the first five months of 2025, marking 2.5% year-over-year growth. Exports climbed 7.2%, while imports declined 3.8%

As geopolitical tensions between China and the US continue to escalate, the Southeast Asian market has become a new strategic focal point for global semiconductor players—particularly in the microcontroller unit (MCU) segment. Industry players are eyeing Southeast Asia not only for its growth potential but also as a platform to diversify global applications and reduce political risk