The NVIDIA project to establish its first overseas headquarters in Taiwan — announced by Jensen Huang at Computex 2025 as a strategic gesture toward the core of the semiconductor ecosystem — now faces a key obstacle: land access. However, the government has reset the clock and reaffirms its full support to unlock the initiative and keep it in the capital. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has emphasized that it will assist in identifying suitable plots if the initially chosen site, within the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park, cannot overcome contractual hurdles that have halted progress.
What happened: a knot over land use rights
In May, NVIDIA announced its intention to locate its Taiwan headquarters in Beitou-Shilin, within Taipei. The area is largely urbanized and designed for tech projects, but among the two preferred plots by the company, there is already a land use right held by Shin Kong Life Insurance, under a contract with the City Hall. This overlap of rights triggered a three-way negotiation — NVIDIA, Shin Kong, and the municipal government — which has not concluded within the timeline outlined in a prior memorandum, leaving the door open for maturities and blame game over who should relinquish rights and how.
The situation has become tense over the legal pathway. According to local media, the city rejected a direct transfer of rights — citing its own rules to avoid favoritism — while Shin Kong claims that a transfer of lease could be legally permissible if explicitly approved by municipal regulation, and unilateral renunciation of future income could pose liability risks for its executives. The outcome: deadlock and political focus on resolving it without illegality or setting precedents.
The central government’s response: “full support” and location alternatives
Amidst the impasse, the MOEA has reiterated its full backing for the project and intervened to explore alternative sites that meet NVIDIA’s criteria — a minimum area of about 3 hectares, connectivity, and timelines compatible with the company’s expansion plans — should Beitou-Shilin not work out. Government sources and press reviews point to an imminent timeline to propose sites that avoid further bottlenecks and maintain the ripple effect of having an NVIDIA headquarters on the island.
The Presidency and the Economy Minister have gone further in symbolism: “NVIDIA remains committed to Taipei”, they insisted, promising “all possible support” to legitimize the operation. This message targets both the company and the local market, following several days of headlines describing the situation as “disappointing” or “stalled” due to administrative hurdles.
Taipei seeks to retain the project: calls to Shin Kong and administrative avenues
Meanwhile, the Taipei Vice Mayor’s Office has publicly urged Shin Kong Life to cooperate with the City Hall to resolve the existing contract over the two plots identified by NVIDIA, so that the city can reassign land use rights to the chip company. This move aims to keep the headquarters within the capital and curb speculation about relocating the project to another jurisdiction. The municipality has even hinted at alternative options within Taipei if the Beitou-Shilin pathway is permanently blocked.
Why it matters: more than offices, an anchor for R&D and talent
The strategic value of this headquarters exceeds that of a mere corporate building. Since May, the Taiwanese government has linked NVIDIA’s announcement to a talent attraction strategy — local and international — including scholarships and research facilitation, aiming to establish Taipei as a global hub for AI application, software, and chip design. It involves supporting an existing value chain, where Taiwan already plays a central role via its advanced manufacturing, and advancing into higher-value R&D and services.
If timely successful, the headquarters would serve as the “base port” to coordinate data centers, labs, and partners across Asia, with plans for engineer recruitment and the creation of a collaborative hub with universities and startups. Conversely, a prolonged delay would undermine the signal Taipei aims to send as a competitive destination for next-generation AI investments.
The legal knot, in detail: what separates the parties today
- Existing land rights: Shin Kong Life holds a valid contract for the two plots chosen by NVIDIA in Beitou-Shilin. Termination or mutual ending of the contract requires agreement on compensations and legal compliance.
- Direct transfer vs. reassignment: Taipei opposes a direct transfer from Shin Kong to NVIDIA; Shin Kong claims that municipal regulation would permit lease transfer with approval from the City Hall, including before buildings are constructed, so no violation would occur.
- Fiduciary risks: Shin Kong warns that waiving future income without a clear framework could expose its executives to responsibility for maladministration, which discourages unilateral concessions.
Market signals and ecosystem cues
The case has extended beyond urban planning. Specialized media note that, although NVIDIA prefers Beitou-Shilin, it is not ruling out moving to other parks if obstacles persist. Industry veterans warn that excessive caution in procedures could scare off investment, urging a balance between integrity and agility. Meanwhile, the MOEA insists that the headquarters in Taiwan will happen and it’s just a matter of finding the right plot with legal certainty and clear timelines.
What’s next: three scenarios on the table
- Tripartite agreement in Beitou-Shilin
NVIDIA, Shin Kong, and Taipei negotiate a termination or transfer under municipal rules, with compensation and guarantees to avoid legal risks. This is the preferred route for those wanting to keep the project in the city without further delays. - Relocation within Taipei
If the deadlock continues, the City proposes alternative locations within the district that meet the scale and timeline requirements (e.g., minimum areas around 3 hectares). This would allow keeping the headquarters without relying on Shin Kong. - Jumping to another Taiwanese city
The MOEA is evaluating options outside Taipei in coordination with other local agencies and science parks. It’s the backup plan if the capital cannot unlock the land in reasonable time. The central government has tasked proposals to expedite this route if needed.
Political context: cross-party support and results pressure
The Presidency has used NVIDIA’s announcement as a symbol of an open Taiwan for frontier investments, and the public opinion tracks the case as a thermometer of government and local government execution. In this context, the MOEA and Vice Mayor’s Office have amplified messages of confidence (“solutions will come”) and appeals for collaboration (“everyone must give a little”) to prevent the episode from derailing.
Key facts about the project (so far)
- Announcement: May 2025; NVIDIA selects Taipei for its Taiwan headquarters.
- Preferred location: Beitou-Shilin Technology Park (Taipei).
- Obstacle: existing land rights held by Shin Kong Life; disagreement over the legal pathway to release or transfer the land.
- Government stance: full support from the MOEA and pursuit of alternatives if the Beitou-Shilin case does not resolve.
- Municipal position: Taipei presses to keep the project in the city and calls on Shin Kong to cooperate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has NVIDIA abandoned Taipei?
No. The company maintains its preference for Beitou-Shilin, but has asked the MOEA to identify alternatives if land disputes remain unresolved. The central government speaks of full support and preparations are underway.
Why is land transfer complicated?
Because the selected plots already have a land use right owned by Shin Kong Life. The city rejects a direct transfer; Shin Kong argues that a lease transfer could be permitted under municipal regulation with approval, even before buildings are built, so there would be no infringement.
What does NVIDIA require for its headquarters?
Available information points to a minimum area of around 3 hectares, good access, and timelines aligned with its R&D and engineer recruitment expansion plans. Taipei and the MOEA are working with these requirements.
What’s the next milestone?
In the short term, Taipei and Shin Kong need to define a legal solution in Beitou-Shilin or the MOEA must formalize alternative locations with guarantees of legal certainty and clear timelines. The political goal remains to keep the headquarters in Taiwan and reduce delays.
Sources: DIGITIMES Asia (MOEA support and general framework), Taiwan News and CNA/FocusTaiwan (timeline of land rights blockage and Shin Kong’s stance), ICRT (statements from Taipei Vice Mayor) and local economic press reviews on land requirements and alternative options.