Computex 2026 Highlights Taiwan’s AI Supply-Chain Role Amid Cross-Strait Tensions

Computex 2026 opened on June 2 in Taipei. The exhibition hosted 1,500 exhibitors from 33 countries across 6,000 booths. Nvidia, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm and Marvell participated. Nvidia announced a $150 billion-per-year investment in Taiwan and plans a new headquarters to employ up to 4,000 staff.

Reuters

President Lai said stability and a status quo are vital for AI supply-chain security. TAITRA chair James C.F. Huang said the AI industry is entering a different stage. Taipei Computer Association chair Jason Chen warned AI success requires seamless integration across hardware, connectivity and data infrastructure. The National Immigration Agency said permit reviews follow established procedures.

COMPUTEX 2026 Opens in Taipei as Physical AI and End-to-End AI Ecosystems Enter a New Growth Phase

None of the 219 mainland Chinese firms listed for Computex obtained entry permits. Applicants faced pending reviews or last-minute documentation requests. Two travel agencies said none of their mainland clients received approvals. The agency gave no formal rejections, stating applications are reviewed per procedure. Emdoor, a mainland VR maker, reported a permit process.

Mainland Chinese exhibitors reportedly locked out of Computex 2026, as Taiwan entry permits stall — parties complain applications left pending or hit with last-minute documentation requests

Observers view the permit freeze as a barrier to cross-strait high-tech collaboration. Taiwan’s crackdown on illicit AI hardware exports to China and prosecutions of TSMC trade-secret theft under the National Security Act illustrate tighter controls. No public criteria for the “special approval” required for semiconductor-related exhibitors have been disclosed, leaving the permissible number of mainland staff unclear.

Mainland Chinese exhibitors reportedly locked out of Computex 2026, as Taiwan entry permits stall — parties complain applications left pending or hit with last-minute documentation requests

Two mainland staff members said “nobody on their team obtained an entry permit,” and a third added that “the delays effectively eliminate their chances of attending the event.” Travel agencies reported a lack of approvals, echoing a “visa freeze” at the April AMPA auto-parts show.

South China Morning Post

The agency says permits follow procedure, but staff report pending status and requests, hinting at political motive; no public criteria for the special approval exist.

Mainland Chinese exhibitors reportedly locked out of Computex 2026, as Taiwan entry permits stall — parties complain applications left pending or hit with last-minute documentation requests

• “As the world's need for AI grows, so too does its need for a Taiwan that is stable, trustworthy, and capable of shouldering responsibility,” — Lai Ching-te, President of Taiwan

Reuters

• “That's why we have multiple partnerships... We are also going to triple down in some of this exciting partnership that we have and we want to expand that,” — Lip-Bu Tan, CEO, Intel

Reuters

• “However, it doesn't change the fact that Taiwan is incredible at manufacturing, especially technology manufacturing. This is the epicentre of the ecosystem,” — Jensen Huang, CEO, Nvidia

Reuters

• “Huang, Chairman of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the AI industry is entering a fundamentally different stage of development.” — James C.F. Huang, Chairman, TAITRA

COMPUTEX 2026 Opens in Taipei as Physical AI and End-to-End AI Ecosystems Enter a New Growth Phase

Nvidia’s new Taiwan headquarters is slated to open in 2030, expanding local employment. Ongoing investigations and continued Chinese military activity suggest sustained cross-strait tension. Future Computex editions are expected to build on the AI-focused agenda while navigating the evolving political and regulatory environment.

COMPUTEX 2026 Opens in Taipei as Physical AI and End-to-End AI Ecosystems Enter a New Growth Phase