Ex-President Tsai calls for deeper ties between Taiwan, Silicon Valley

San Francisco, Oct. 10 (CNA) Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) called for stronger two-way ties between Taiwan and Silicon Valley at a meeting with young tech entrepreneurs at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco on Friday.

After concluding her visit to Stanford University, Tsai met with members of Silicon Valley's tech startup and venture capital communities for a second consecutive day, listening to their views on the industry.

In her opening speech, Tsai said her visit to the San Francisco Bay Area was her first trip to the United States since leaving office. In addition to accepting an invitation from Stanford University, she wanted to meet Taiwanese people working, studying or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in the area, particularly those in the technology sector.

She said Taiwan has become increasingly connected to the world through its work in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), information and communications technology, biomedicine and other fields. As those ties deepen, she said, Taiwan should consider what more it can offer the world beyond its technology and products.

Tsai urged young Taiwanese in the tech sector to share Taiwan's experience and stories with the world while bringing back valuable insights from Silicon Valley in technology, talent, investment and new ways of working.

A country's strength lies not only in its government and businesses, but also in people, especially young people willing to take risks, she said, adding that Taiwanese youths pursuing opportunities in Silicon Valley are an important source of strength for Taiwan.

Tsai served as Taiwan's first female president from 2016-2024.

She arrived in the United States on Monday, local time, and is scheduled to return to Taiwan Sunday, Taiwan time.