In recent years, the scientific and technological competition between China and the United States has become increasingly fierce, especially in the field of chip manufacturing, and the United States has been concerned about China's strengthening of independent scientific and technological innovation, and has taken a series of suppressive measures. As the world's largest lithography machine manufacturer, ASML has attracted much attention for its advanced DUV lithography technology.
Under pressure from the United States, Japan and the Netherlands signed a "tripartite agreement" to restrict the export of lithography machines to China. However, when the ban was imposed, the Netherlands chose to go against the will of the United States, announcing that it would continue to export lithography machines to China in January 2024. The move distressed the Biden team because it disrupted U.S. plans.
As a result, ASML once again exported 80 lithography machines to China after the ban was suspended, with more than half of its profits coming from the Chinese market. The Dutch side made it clear that shipments to the Chinese market will not be affected by the United States. The incident has sparked a lot of discussion and also revealed the rise of China's chip industry and the plight of the United States in terms of technological blockade.
In the face of US sanctions and suppression, Chinese companies have begun to set their sights on independent innovation. Driven by Huawei, China's semiconductor industry chain has taken shape. Chinese companies such as SMIC, HiSilicon, and YMTC have made breakthroughs at all levels. In addition, China** has set a goal of achieving 70% localization of chips by 2025.
Chinese companies are actively abandoning the thinking of "making is better than buying, and buying is better than renting", and accelerate the pace of independent research and development and production of high-end chips. As one of the world's largest chip consumer markets, the Chinese market is an opportunity that cannot be ignored for chip manufacturers. Therefore, the demand for chips in China is also growing, and the lithography machine market is also becoming active.
After the ban was suspended, ASML again exported 80 lithography machines to China. According to the third-quarter financial report, more than half of ASML's profits come from the Chinese market. This also shows that China's gorgeous turnaround is a huge business opportunity for ASML.
ASML issued a statement on the day the ban was delayed, saying that the Netherlands had approved shipments to the Chinese market, not the United States. This shows the crucial nature of the Dutch attitude. The top level of the Netherlands has also made it clear that they have their own foreign policy and will not completely copy the US approach.
The incident exposed the failure of the United States to suppress China's scientific and technological development, the Chinese market has become the world's largest chip market, Chinese companies have completed the autonomy of low-end chips, and there is no longer a need to purchase foreign lithography machines, which will bring a serious blow to American companies.
The United States recognized the rapid development of Chinese companies such as SMIC, so the Biden team announced a plan to restrict the export of general-purpose components in an attempt to delay the process of China's lithography machine autonomy. However, due to the continuous sanctions and restrictions in history, the situation of global cooperation has been shattered, and the rise of China's economy and the development of technology are unstoppable. Today, China is becoming a leader in the global technology industry.
This is a cautionary tale for the United States, which has long maintained a technological lead. Global cooperation can promote the development of science and technology, rather than closing itself in a small circle. The rise of China's chip industry will change the pattern of the global technology industry, and China-centered scientific and technological innovation will lead the future.
The progress of China's chip autonomy and ASML's move to export lithography machines to China undoubtedly show that China's strength in the field of science and technology is rapidly rising. However, the repressive measures of the United States cannot stop China's pace, but have strengthened China's determination to innovate independently.
Historically, scientific and technological innovation has always been an important driving force for the progress of human society. China's rise will breathe new life into global scientific and technological development, not just relying on so-called "forced technology transfer.""。The future of the global technology industry will be more diversified, with companies from China and other countries playing a more important role.
Therefore, for countries around the world, cooperation with China should be a win-win situation, not a way to try to limit development and suppress. Only through open and mutually beneficial cooperation can real progress in science and technology be achieved to promote global development and prosperity.