The United States has frequently put pressure on Dutch chip equipment maker ASML in recent years to restrict the company’s equipment exports to China. ASML CEO Peter Wen warned on Wednesday that if the United States forces ASML to stop selling deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines to China, the world’s semiconductor supply chain will face the risk of disruption.
According to the “Nikkei Asian Review” report on the 21st, Peter Wen pointed out to investors that US politicians have proposed plans to restrict the delivery of DUV lithography machines to China from time to time, but he believes that China is an important player in the semiconductor industry, especially in the Process technology and mainstream semiconductors are both important suppliers. He emphasized that China has the chip manufacturing capacity to meet the relevant needs of the global electronics market, and the world cannot ignore the reality and must act cautiously.
The report added that China became the world’s largest buyer of semiconductor manufacturing equipment for the second year in a row last year, with spending increasing 58 percent year-on-year to $29.62 billion. In the global semiconductor foundry market, China’s two largest chipmakers, SMIC and Hua Hong Semiconductor, together control about 10 percent of the market.
Dutch Foreign Minister Hoekstra.
It is worth noting that under pressure from the United States, ASML has stopped exporting the most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment to SMIC since the end of 2019. Even so, the tension between China and the United States has prompted outside rumors that the United States continues to demand ASML stopped selling equipment such as DUV lithography machines to China. Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra has confirmed rumors a few days ago that the U.S. has indeed negotiated with the Dutch government about restrictions on ASML machine sales.
DUV lithography machine is not the most advanced chip manufacturing equipment, but it is still an indispensable chip manufacturing equipment for most chips used in various electronic devices around the world. These chips are the devices most commonly used to make some of the non-sophisticated chips needed for cars, cell phones, computers and even robots.
According to people familiar with the matter, Washington will focus on the high-end models of DUV machines, that is, machines using immersion lithography.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized that this is another example of the US abusing its national power and relying on technological hegemony to engage in “coercive diplomacy.” This is also a typical example of technological terrorism.
Zhao Lijian pointed out that in the current context of globalization, the US has repeatedly politicized, instrumentalized, and ideologically oriented on technology and economic and trade issues, and imposed “technological blockade” and “technological decoupling” on other countries, which will only make other countries more vigilant. Relying solely on the United States for technology will not work, which will also prompt countries to accelerate the realization of technological independence and self-reliance. Trying to block other people’s way will only block your own way in the end. It is hoped that relevant parties will uphold an objective and fair position, and make decisions independently and independently from their own long-term interests and the principle of a fair and just market.
As the United States stepped up its containment of China, there was good news from China’s semiconductor industry. “Bloomberg” reported that 19 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing semiconductor companies in the past year were Chinese companies, an increase of 11 from the previous year. China has 2,810 semiconductor design companies, 23 times that of South Korea (120).
In fact, similar events have already occurred in space. In 2011, the U.S. Congress passed the Wolfe Clause, which immediately restricted NASA’s contact with its Chinese counterparts. What’s even more heartless is that the bill prohibits all NASA facilities from receiving “official Chinese visitors”. Therefore, on May 16 of the same year, the US space shuttle “Endeavour” was launched from the Kennedy Space Center for the 25th and final time. For the flight mission, all Chinese journalists were revoked from their promised interview passes.
Today, China’s space development is so rapid that even NASA Director Nelson can’t help but criticize China for refusing to cooperate with the United States.