Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIn 2002, Taiwan’s government and display executives proposed a three-part strategy: build more components and manufacturing equipment locally, create demand for flat-panel products, and invest in research and development. The goal was to lower costs and deepen Taiwan’s role in the TFT-LCD and OLED supply chain as new Korean LCD capacity threatened to increase supply and pressure prices.
Why Taiwan wanted to strengthen the supply chain
At a Taipei summit reported by EE Times on 8 September 2002, officials said Taiwanese TFT-LCD makers had spent more than $8 billion on manufacturing over the preceding several years. But substantial spending on panel production had not made the supply chain self-sufficient: 31 percent of material costs were still controlled outside Taiwan, according to Hwang Tai-yang, director of the Committee for Information Industry Development (CIID).
That dependence mattered to the industry’s cost base and strategic position. Hwang said Taiwan was developing the supply chain and taking steps to increase local upstream involvement. The policy aim was to develop more of the components and machinery used to make displays within Taiwan, rather than relying as heavily on foreign suppliers.
The three parts of the 2002 plan
Develop components and manufacturing machinery locally
The first priority was to lower costs by building local capability in key components and production machinery. This addressed the portion of material costs still controlled abroad and sought to give Taiwanese panel makers a stronger domestic supplier base.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- CRISP CLARITY: This 23.8″ Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
- WORK SEAMLESSLY: This sleek monitor is virtually bezel-free on three sides, so the screen looks even bigger for the viewer. This minimalistic design also allows for seamless multi-monitor setups that enhance your workflow and boost productivity
- A BETTER READING EXPERIENCE: For busy office workers, EasyRead mode provides a more paper-like experience for when viewing lengthy documents
Create demand for flat-panel products
The government also wanted to help develop markets for products using flat-panel displays. The applications named at the time included televisions, game consoles, electronic books and mobile handsets. Supporting end markets was intended to complement investment in display production with demand for the resulting panels.
Invest in R&D and next-generation fabs
The third part was greater investment in research and development, with the aims of building intellectual property and accelerating the development of next-generation fabrication plants. This was a longer-term response to competition, not just an effort to reduce near-term input costs.
Rank #2
- CRISP CLARITY: This 22 inch class (21.5″ viewable) Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- 100HZ FAST REFRESH RATE: 100Hz brings your favorite movies and video games to life. Stream, binge, and play effortlessly
- SMOOTH ACTION WITH ADAPTIVE-SYNC: Adaptive-Sync technology ensures fluid action sequences and rapid response time. Every frame will be rendered smoothly with crystal clarity and without stutter
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
How Taiwan and mainland China fit into the production model
Taiwan’s proposed division of work linked its component and technology strengths with mainland China’s role in downstream manufacturing. Taiwan Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Yi-fu described mainland China as a downstream assembly and production base for Taiwanese flat-panel-display makers, while Taiwan and Japan would supply key midstream and upstream components. He called this the emerging model.
In practical terms, the approach envisaged production stages spread across locations: upstream inputs and important components supplied from Taiwan and Japan, with assembly and downstream production in mainland China. It was a policy vision described in 2002, not evidence that every company followed the same arrangement.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Clear visuals. Fluid motion: A 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT deliver smooth, tear‑free motion across work, gaming, and streaming for clearer, more fluid viewing.
- Eye comfort: TÜV Rheinland 3‑star* certification reduces harmful blue light while preserving stunning color quality without compromise. *TÜV Rheinland 3-star eye comfort certification.
- Wide viewing angle: Get consistent views across a wide 178° /178° viewing angle.
- In-Plane Switching (IPS): See excellent color accuracy and consistency across wide viewing angles with In-plane Switching (IPS) technology.
- Ultra-thin bezels: Maximize your viewing experience with thin bezels.
What Taiwan was making—and the figures reported at the time
Taiwan’s display activity was not limited to one screen size or use. TFT-LCD production included medium-size panels for notebook computers and monitors, while OLED panels were being developed for mobile phones. The figures below are historical numbers and forecasts quoted in the 2002 EE Times report; they should not be read as current market data.
| Measure | Figure reported | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| TFT-LCD manufacturing investment | More than $8 billion | Spending by Taiwan’s TFT-LCD makers over the several years before the 2002 summit; EE Times, 2002. |
| Material costs controlled outside Taiwan | 31 percent | Share cited by CIID director Hwang Tai-yang; EE Times, 2002. |
| Taiwan LCD production value | $7.98 billion | Reported value for 2002; EE Times, 2002. |
| Taiwan’s share of world LCD market | Nearly 40 percent | Reported share by production value in 2002; EE Times, 2002. |
| Ritek Display OLED handset-panel shipments | 2 million | Company estimate for 2002; EE Times, 2002. |
| Ritek Display OLED handset-panel shipments | 10 million | Company estimate for 2003; EE Times, 2002. |
| Taiwan display-industry growth | 9.5 percent | CIID forecast for 2003; EE Times, 2002. |
| Taiwan suppliers’ production value | $8.7 billion | CIID forecast for 2003; EE Times, 2002. |
The competitive pressure behind the policy
The immediate concern was a coming increase in supply from South Korean fifth-generation LCD fabs, which the 2002 report said was expected to put pressure on prices. Taiwan’s strategy therefore paired local sourcing and cost reduction with demand development and R&D: the first addressed production economics, the second sought wider markets, and the third aimed to sustain technological differentiation.
Rank #4
- CURVED FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT: An immersive viewing experience with a curved monitor that wraps more closely around your field of vision; It creates a wider view, enhancing depth perception and minimizing peripheral distraction
- SMOOTH PERFORMANCE FOR SEAMLESS CONTENT: Stay in the action when playing games, watching videos, or working on creative projects; The 100Hz refresh rate reduces lag and motion blur so you don't miss a thing in fast-paced moments¹
- MORE GAMING POWER: Gain the edge with optimizable game settings; Color and image contrast can be adjusted to see scenes more vividly and spot enemies hiding in the dark; Game Mode adjusts any game to fill the screen so you can view every detail²
- KEEP IT EASY ON THE EYES: Care for your eyes and stay comfortable, even during long sessions; Advanced eye comfort technology certified by TÜV reduces eye strain by minimizing blue light and reducing irritating screen flicker²
- INCREASED VERSATILITY: Connect to more; Plug devices straight into your monitor for increased flexibility, making your computing environment even more convenient
What the policy story tells us
The episode shows how Taiwan’s 2002 display strategy sought to move beyond panel fabrication alone. Officials wanted domestic suppliers to capture more of the upstream value chain, while coordinating downstream assembly with mainland China and investing in new applications and technology. The market figures describe that moment and its expectations, not Taiwan’s position today.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
