Cross-Strait Tech & Security: China escalated its maritime dispute with a legal opinion attacking Japan-Philippines boundary talks over waters east of Taiwan, framing them as UNCLOS violations while patrols and “traffic control” rhetoric keep pressure on the region. Taiwan-US Tech Diplomacy: Taiwan will open a representative office in Phoenix, Arizona, to deepen exchanges in economics, technology, education, and supply-chain cooperation, pointing to TSMC’s Arizona fabs as the magnet for local partners. AI Hardware Push: South Korea’s Samsung and SK Hynix pledged about $880B for AI chip and data-center buildout, with HBM at the center—another reminder of how Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem sits inside a wider AI supply chain race. Local Drone Procurement: Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan referred competing domestically produced drone bills to committee review, with the fight now focused on funding and how to structure a multi-year purchase plan. Physical AI Funding: Luxonis closed a $14M Series A to scale its OAK perception hardware and software for physical AI, with Taiwania Capital among the backers. Health-Tech Adjacent Research: Taiwan’s Fisheries Research Institute reported a methane-cutting algae cultivation method that cuts power needs by 90%+ using solar and an energy-saving waterwheel system. Markets Watch: Asian stocks bounced after US jobs data eased rate-hike fears, but chip-linked volatility remains the dominant theme for Taiwan’s Taiex and regional tech sentiment.