TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) visited the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Dresden, Germany, on Wednesday, showing support for its operations.

Tsai arrived at Silicon Saxony, Dresden’s semiconductor industrial park, where ESMC CEO Christian Koitzsch welcomed her, per CNA. The facility, a joint venture between TSMC Infineon, NXP, and Bosch, broke ground August last year and is scheduled to begin production in 2027.

“I am as confident in TSMC’s European plant as Taiwan is in TSMC itself,” she said during the tour.

Koitzsch and TSMC Europe’s legal head Gunnar Thomas briefed Tsai on the plant’s status and strategic vision. She then met with senior staff to review construction progress.

Before departing, Tsai presented a Taiwan-shaped pin to the engineers, encouraging them to “do your best abroad, but do not forget Taiwan.”

Dresden Mayor Dirk Hilbert said ESMC represents the city’s largest-ever semiconductor investment. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand housing for construction workers and engineers.

Silicon Saxony, Europe’s largest semiconductor cluster, hosts over 500 companies and research institutes, including Infineon and GlobalFoundries.