[indemnity]

Honest question.

Why the assumption that Taiwan would choose death rather than give up their fabs to the Chinese?

I have seen this implicit assumption here a lot, but I just don’t get it.

Why would they smash hundreds of billions of dollars of investment for freedom from the Chinese yoke, if they have to choose between the fabs or lots of people dying?

[thereisnospork]

>Why would they smash hundreds of billions of dollars of investment for freedom from the Chinese yoke, if they have to choose between the fabs or lots of people dying?

MAD, or at least MAW (mutually assured wounding). Taiwan wants China to know that a hostile takeover will cost China TSMC[0] thereby disincentivizing China from taking over Taiwan. To say 'we value our people over our fabs, please show mercy' just makes them all the more likely to be taken over.

[0]including associated international outrage over losing their chip supply.

[dillondoyle]

The same 10s of thousands of Ukrainians are taking up arms: to protect their country and fight for a more free future.

Plus the premise I think is weird. If China is going for TSMC that in itself is already full blown war.

[michaelt]

> Why would they smash hundreds of billions of dollars of investment

Because that's what war is?

Do you imagine America would let itself get invaded, because their trillion-dollar jet fighter program is too expensive to let people shoot at them?

[another_story]

Think about the reaction of Hong Kong to China, now add a military on the Hong Kong side. Taiwan would absolutely defend itself.