News / Taiwan / cnyes
Taiwan Ranks First in Global Healthcare Index for 8th Year; Premier Cho Pledges to Build New 'National Shield' in Biotech
Health Technology · Biotechnology · cnyes · 2026-08-24
Premier Cho Jung-tai announced that Taiwan's biotech sector will be the next pillar of the economy, backed by massive AI infrastructure investments.
What Happened
Strategic Vision: Premier Cho Jung-tai addressed the Biotech Industry Strategy Advisory Committee, highlighting Taiwan's potential to establish a new "national shield" industry beyond semiconductors. He emphasized the nation's leadership in smart healthcare, drug development, and intelligent agriculture.
Economic Impact: Taiwan has topped the Global Healthcare Index for eight consecutive years, with the biotech sector generating over NT$85 billion in revenue last year. The government has allocated NT$40.6 billion for AI-related construction in the upcoming budget to further accelerate this growth.
Policy Initiatives: The administration is rolling out "AI New Ten Major Constructions" and "Long-term Care 3.0" to integrate digital health into daily life. These initiatives focus on AI-driven drug discovery and remote medical services to improve the quality of life for an aging population.
Future Outlook: With President Lai Ching-te's medical background driving policy execution, the government aims to shift focus from average life expectancy to healthy life expectancy. Officials are refining regulations and sustainability frameworks to ensure the biotech sector remains a global leader.