AGP Executive Report

Tibet Surveillance Blueprint: A new report says Xi Jinping’s crackdown in Tibet is being used as a model for authoritarian control, with expanded surveillance and a March 2026 “ethnic unity” law that could institutionalize forced assimilation and reach beyond China’s borders. Energy Resilience for Taiwan: Taiwan should decentralize its power system and build faster-to-repair, more modular grid capacity after lessons from Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Maritime Pressure Near Pratas: Taiwan says Chinese coast guard and research vessels are increasing activity near the Pratas Islands, keeping regional attention on navigation rights and maritime sovereignty. Taiwan as an “Asian Nasdaq”: President Lai says Taiwan will further relax capital-market rules to help startups raise funds, leaning on its AI supply chain strength. U.S. Support for Taiwan Defense: The U.S. House Armed Services Committee approved a FY2027 defense bill including up to US$1 billion for Taiwan security cooperation and resilient communications. Wildlife Conservation: Taipei Zoo welcomed two endangered red pandas from Shanghai for a month-long quarantine before public display. Public Health Misinformation: New high-quality guidance reassures that acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe in pregnancy when used as directed, countering earlier unsupported claims. COMPUTEX & AI Supply Chain: COMPUTEX 2026 opened under “AI Together,” highlighting Taiwan’s role in real-world AI deployment and global hardware integration.

Wildlife & Conservation: Taipei Zoo welcomed two endangered red pandas from Shanghai Zoo, with a month-long quarantine before a public debut, highlighting habitat loss and illegal hunting pressures. Nature & Biodiversity: Researchers identified East Asia’s tallest known tree, the “Heaven Sword of the Da’an River,” an 84.1-meter Taiwania fir estimated at about 1,000 years old, underscoring Taiwan’s forest richness. Road Safety Tech: Zimbabwe rolled out a nationwide AI-powered electronic traffic management system using surveillance and automatic number-plate recognition to detect violations and automate penalties. Energy & Pollution Risk: The U.S. announced nearly $700 million in support for coal, including an Oakland export terminal, with officials pitching “clean coal” for allies like Taiwan and Japan—raising fresh concerns for emissions and air quality. Coastal Defense: Taiwan’s Altius-600M loitering munition completed its first sea-based live-fire test, validating a reconnaissance-to-strike chain aimed at complicating amphibious landing plans. AI & Industry (COMPUTEX): COMPUTEX 2026 wrapped with “AI Together,” spotlighting Taiwan’s role in AI servers, edge computing, robotics, and physical AI deployment.

Coastal Defense Upgrade: Taiwan’s Altius-600M loitering munition completed its first sea-based live-fire test, validating a full “find-to-strike” engagement chain and strengthening layered anti-landing deterrence. Maritime Tensions: China’s forces monitored a Dutch frigate through the Taiwan Strait, underscoring gray-zone pressure that can ripple into regional shipping and supply-chain security. Pacific Partnerships: President Lai Ching-te told a Pacific Cultural Gala that the Pacific is a “bridge” for Taiwan and allies, highlighting cooperation in education, healthcare, telecom infrastructure, and maritime rescue. Embodied AI Push: COMPUTEX wrapped with a big focus on physical AI and robotics, while AGIBOT WORLD CHALLENGE 2026 in Vienna emphasized closed-loop robot testing on real tasks. Ocean Life & Labor Abuses: A new report says unregulated squid fleets in multiple regions drive environmental destruction and severe human rights abuses, pointing to a governance vacuum on the high seas. AI Security Alarm: F5 warns that agentic AI is expanding attack surfaces as AI moves onto devices and internet traffic shifts toward automated agents. Tech Industry Mood: Acer’s Computex reflections highlight how Taiwan PC makers are leaning into “co-opetition” amid supply-chain shocks and tariff uncertainty.

AI & Chips Supply Chain: TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said the company is working hard to avoid becoming a bottleneck as AI demand stays “so high,” and he’d “like” to raise chip prices but won’t do abrupt hikes. Green Tech & Materials: Covestro highlighted sustainable TPU materials for AI devices and robotics, pointing to its Changhua base as a bridge from R&D to local mass production. Data Centers & Water/Energy: Schneider Electric warned that AI data-center growth must be planned early—power, cooling, efficiency, and water management—so environmental impacts aren’t “theoretical.” Local Policy & Trade: Taiwan will set up an interministerial review to restrict imports tied to forced labor, aligning supply-chain governance with international human-rights and sustainability standards. Biodiversity & Pollution Risk: A Taiwan-linked report on cognitive warfare also underscores how influence operations can target Taiwan’s digital space—raising broader concerns about protecting society and information ecosystems. Waste Sorting Push: Taiwan Excellence promoted waste sorting through a game campaign aimed at reducing contamination and landfill waste. Health & Air Pollution Link: Lung-cancer research suggests inflammation pathways tied to smoking and air pollution may help predict and prevent disease earlier.

AI & Data Centers (Energy/Water): Schneider Electric says AI-driven data center growth in Malaysia hinges on early planning for power stability, cooling strategy, equipment efficiency, water management, and renewable energy access. Taiwan Tech Supply Chain: TSMC CEO C.C. Wei tells shareholders AI demand remains strong but supply is tight, while Taiwan’s role anchors global AI chip production for firms like Nvidia and Apple. Green Infrastructure & Low-Carbon Tech: Taoyuan International Airport installs a 75-inch color e-paper display to cut energy use in public signage, positioning e-paper as a greener alternative for smart transport media. Biodiversity & Nature (Local): A tiny “sesame” sea slug newly discovered in Taiwan is the first of its genus named in 30 years, adding to local biodiversity knowledge. Circularity & Waste Policy: Taiwan’s recycling amendment aims to push the system toward circularity. Offshore Wind (Renewables): Fengmiao 2 offshore wind project appoints a new CEO to support development alongside Fengmiao 1, citing net-zero and industrial sustainability goals. Forced Labor Imports: Taiwan will set up an interministerial review mechanism to restrict forced-labor-linked imports after a U.S. tariff probe flagged enforcement gaps. Cybersecurity (Risk to Industry): Synology plans ActiveProtect Manager 2.0 rollout with AI-powered threat detection for backup data, targeting stronger cyber-resilience for cloud and on-prem systems.

AI & Chips in Taiwan: TSMC says it’s confident on growth as AI model adoption keeps demand strong, while CEO C.C. Wei signals it wants to raise prices only sustainably and is still working through long-term customer needs. Computex 2026 Tech Push: COMPUTEX is doubling down on “physical” AI and rugged edge systems, with Blaize and Winmate showcasing rugged edge AI concepts and Taiwan’s AI hardware ecosystem taking center stage. Data Centers & Cooling: Wiwynn and Shinwa Controls announce a strategic collaboration to scale liquid cooling for high-density AI/HPC data centers, while the global colocation market is projected to surge through 2035. Maritime Tech & Environment: Samsung Heavy moves into floating data centers, aiming to bring offshore computing infrastructure to shipping-linked markets. Marine Biodiversity: A tiny “sesame” sea slug, Thecacera sesama, has been identified off Keelung—an important new species discovery for Taiwan’s marine life. Plastic Supply Pressure: Japan faces plastic bag and packaging shortages as naphtha supply tightens amid the Middle East crisis, pushing retailers toward reduced single-use plastics. Wildlife & Public Safety: Pingtung’s eagle nest livestream was shut down after a chick died, highlighting the risks behind wildlife monitoring.

Climate Policy Watch: Taiwan estimates 2025 greenhouse-gas emissions about 9% below 2005 levels, narrowly missing the 10% target, as Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming flags uncertainty from strong economic growth and rising energy demand. Wildlife Protection: A Pingtung crested serpent eagle chick livestream ended after the chick died, while Taiwan’s Pingtung eagle-nest monitoring highlights the risks facing raptors. Biodiversity & Habitat: Singapore shut down a Pingtung eagle nest livestream after chick death, and separately plans to relocate five critically endangered leopard cats in Changi from late 2026 to protect them from development. Green Mobility Spotlight: Taiwan marked World Bicycle Day with cycling infrastructure and routes that turn bikes into a sustainability and tourism tool. Circularity & Waste: Taiwan’s recycling amendment is set to focus on circularity, aiming to tighten how materials are reused. Energy Transition: Offshore wind developer Skyborn Renewables appointed a new COO to scale offshore wind delivery, including Taiwan’s Formosa 2 turnaround. Data Centers & Power: BDx Data Centers secured 1.2GW of power agreements with Indonesia’s PLN, underscoring how AI growth is driving demand for reliable electricity.

Agentic AI & energy efficiency at Computex: NVIDIA and Microsoft pushed a unified stack for agentic AI from Windows PCs to Azure and local deployments, while Taiwan firms showcased next-gen AI infrastructure (ASRock Rack’s NVIDIA Vera CPU servers, Dell’s Vera CPU updates, and SK Telecom’s physical AI digital twins with SK hynix). Circularity & waste policy: Taiwan’s recycling amendment moves toward a stronger “circularity” focus. Sustainable food & biodiversity: Japan’s world-first fully farmed eel sales aim to cut pressure on wild eel stocks; Taiwan also reported research on fish species endemic to Taiwan proper. Climate-resilient power: A US grid reliability update highlights growing solar + storage as key to handling summer heat. Green travel & local promotion: Taiwan’s Tourism Administration launched a Bay Area campaign to spotlight Taiwan’s nature and culture, and a new Taiwan cycling route is set to expand safer bike lanes. Regional environment-adjacent tech: A Kobe University-led DC-DC converter advance supports more efficient DC microgrids for EV and renewable-powered systems.

COMPUTEX 2026 & GTC Taipei: Nvidia used its Taipei stage to push “physical AI” and open tools for robotics, AV, and industrial digital twins, including an open-source physical AI agent toolkit and the Nemotron 3 Ultra model—signaling a shift from chatbots to systems that act in the real world. AI hardware supply chain: Supermicro claimed a dielectric coolant with 1,000x higher electrical impedance for AI rack uptime, while SK Telecom and SK hynix showcased digital twin work for scaling chip fabs—both tied to the ongoing memory bottleneck. Taiwan’s green-adjacent tech push: Taiwan Excellence highlighted an AI-powered Pro AV ecosystem at InfoComm 2026, reflecting how local hardware firms are moving toward software-defined infrastructure. Biodiversity & food: Taipei Zoo/WAZA unveiled a new International Studbook framework to better manage wildlife populations across zoos and aquariums, and Pingtung sent Taiwan’s first large-scale summer fruit export shipment to Europe after EU quarantine approvals. Bees in focus: Everrich Duty Free and Guerlain brought “Bee School” to Taiwan to raise awareness as bee declines threaten pollination and food systems. Storm impacts: Typhoon Jangmi/Storm Jangmi battered Japan’s Okinawa and moved toward Kyushu, bringing evacuations and flight disruptions.

Computex 2026 & AI infrastructure: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told reporters in Taipei that agentic AI is a “new computing pattern,” pushing PCs, robots, and data centers toward autonomous assistants rather than fixed tools. Green tech angle: the same week’s hardware push is also about energy and efficiency—QCT showcased Intel- and AMD-powered server portfolios for “agentic” workloads, while MSI highlighted liquid-cooled AI data center platforms and Flex unveiled higher-power power shelves and capacitive energy storage for dense AI racks. Local manufacturing & digital twins: SK Telecom and SK hynix used Nvidia Omniverse to build a digital twin of semiconductor fabs, aiming to simulate and optimize production before changes hit the real line. Taiwan-linked sustainability food event: Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture launched the first “Taiwan International Plant-Based Festival” in Singapore, spotlighting sustainable farming and plant-based dining with local partners. Biodiversity note: research reported fish species endemic to Taiwan proper, adding to the island’s biodiversity knowledge base.

Climate & Wildlife: South Korea braces for earlier, heavier “lovebug” swarms as May heat shifts weather patterns, with peak activity forecast for June 15–29. Low-carbon tech in Taiwan: E Ink installs the world’s first 75-inch color ePaper ad display at Taoyuan International Airport, pitching ultra-low power signage for net-zero goals. AI & water stress: A new report warns AI data centers are intensifying local water competition, urging governments and firms to manage water use transparently as backlash grows. Local industry pulse: Taiwan manufacturing hits a nearly five-year high in May, with AI-linked electronics and machinery driving expansion. Computex/AI hardware spotlight: Nvidia unveils “Vera,” a CPU architecture aimed at AI agents, while Taiwan firms showcase edge and physical AI systems at COMPUTEX. Biodiversity education: Guerlain and EVERRICH’s “Bee School” event in Taiwan teaches families about bee conservation and biodiversity’s role in food production. Public health AI: Ainos launches an AI Nose research program at National Taiwan University Hospital for emergency-department monitoring and respiratory risk analysis. Cybersecurity: Operation Dragon Weave targets officials and citizens in Taiwan and the Czech Republic with spear-phishing chains for data exfiltration and remote control.

AI & Industry at COMPUTEX: Blaize and Winmate are demoing rugged edge AI together in Taipei, moving mission-ready inference from the U.S. to a global stage. MSI is also pushing a “data center to autonomous edge” roadmap with liquid-cooled AI systems built on NVIDIA platforms. City & Transport Intelligence: Linker Vision says it’s expanding physical AI video reasoning across Kaohsiung and Taipei, including work with Taiwan’s transport ministry, aiming for real-time operational insights. Agentic AI for Health: NVIDIA, Foxconn, and Taiwan’s medical centers are rolling out coordinated AI agent workforces under “Healthy Taiwan,” shifting from single tools to hospital-wide orchestration. Semiconductor & Fab Automation: NVIDIA says TSMC is using its accelerated computing and AI for lithography, transistor simulation, process control, and wafer inspection to improve yield and turnaround. Security for Agent Workloads: NVIDIA unveiled Vera BlueField-4 STX with DOCA security features to govern how agents access storage and data at high speeds. Diplomacy & Climate-Resilient Tourism: VP Hsiao Bi-khim will visit Palau to deepen cooperation, including healthcare, agriculture, public infrastructure, and sustainable tourism.

Carbon Pricing Kickoff: Taiwan has started charging a carbon emissions levy to major companies, with payments due this weekend to jump-start a decarbonization fund. Wildlife Protection: Taipei Zoo marked World Parrot Day by urging people not to abandon pet birds and to reject illegal wildlife trade, highlighting rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Press Freedom Clash: Taiwan condemned China after reports said a New York Times journalist was expelled following an interview with President Lai, escalating worries about Beijing controlling narratives. Regional Security at Shangri-La: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth toned down China-threat language while urging allies to boost defense spending; Japan’s Koizumi rejected “new militarism” claims and criticized China’s opaque buildup. Undersea Cable Safety: Seventeen countries agreed on guidelines to protect submarine cables and other undersea infrastructure, citing growing sabotage risks. South China Sea Tensions: China and its coast guard carried out patrols near Scarborough Shoal after U.S.-Philippine drills, keeping the flashpoint hot. Taiwan Tech & Health: Taiwan pushed forward its “Healthy Taiwan” digital health vision, aiming to connect records and improve care efficiency.

Air Pollution Policy Fight: Taiwan’s opposition fast-tracked amendments to the Air Pollution Control Act, expanding local authority over industrial air pollution even as the Ministry of Economic Affairs warned it could disrupt power supply and affect about 8,000 companies. Public Health & Smoke-Free Streets: Taipei’s Ximending will ban smoking outdoors from June 1, with fines up to NT$10,000 and designated smoking areas for those who need them. Climate Data Cooperation: Taiwan’s Technical Mission in Saint Lucia joined a greenhouse gas inventory validation workshop under the Caribbean CCMRVH hub, focusing on improving crop-emissions data. Wildlife Watch: A new species of tiny “sesame” sea slug was reported from Taiwan waters, adding to local biodiversity knowledge. Renewables Storage Investment: Sumitomo’s joint venture will invest in a 694 MW UK battery energy storage portfolio, supporting faster renewable integration. Disaster Readiness: A reminder that hurricane season starts June 1, with forecasts pointing to a potentially intense Central Pacific season amid climate change concerns. Undersea Tech for Security: AUKUS partners plan to develop unmanned undersea vehicles under “pillar two,” boosting undersea capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.

Defense & Security: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue that China’s military buildup could “unravel” the Pacific balance of power, urging Asian allies to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP and stressing “partners, not protectorates.” Regional Supply Chains: The Quad’s Fiji port plan is framed as a way to challenge China’s supply-chain dominance—using Pacific logistics hubs to reshape trade routes. Climate & Air Policy: The US EPA proposed a rule clarifying “begin actual construction” under the Clean Air Act’s NSR program, potentially giving power plants and data centers more flexibility before permits for non-emitting components. Marine Biodiversity (Taiwan): Taiwanese divers helped scientists describe a tiny spotted sea slug, “sesame,” now formally named Thecacera sesama from Keelung reefs. Green Tech & Corporate Pressure (Taiwan): Greenpeace confronted Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in Taipei with a message linking AI to renewable energy, pushing for supply-chain decarbonization dialogue. Public Health/Environment (Taiwan): Taiwan’s Environment Ministry unveiled a scheme to upgrade public restrooms to deter spy cameras, aiming for 30 distinct-design sites by 2030.

AI & Energy: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told Taipei that AI can “boost green investments,” arguing demand for energy will pull renewables investment—while Greenpeace pressed for supply-chain decarbonization dialogue. Climate Accountability: Taiwan Climate Action Network says TSMC’s climate plan still isn’t matching its net-zero promises as electricity demand rises, with emissions-intensity targets drifting. Wildlife Coexistence: Taiwan’s Formosan black bear encounters with people are climbing, pushing agencies toward “safe coexistence” measures as habitats overlap more often. Heat & Cooling for AI: Cooler Master and G.Skill unveiled active-cooled DDR5 memory at Computex, aiming to keep AI and gaming systems stable. Public Health & Waste: Taiwan’s Environment Ministry is rolling out upgraded public restrooms to curb spy-camera risks, while a separate green-waste disposal bill in the region prioritizes shredding, mulching, composting, and limits incineration. Infrastructure & Environment: Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan approved an NT$8.8bn arms procurement budget, but also flagged major funding gaps—raising questions about long-term planning priorities. Local Tech Culture: KMT lawmakers urged a basic act to develop e-sports, citing policy gaps despite Taiwan’s gaming talent.