Exports to China surged by 1000! ASML officially announced, foreign media view: irresistible trend.
Background. Lithography plays a vital role in the manufacturing process of integrated circuits, but its transportation has been interfered with by the United States, leading to an intensification of conflict between the two sides. In this case, the export of lithography technology to China increased by 1000%! Foreign ** warns that this cannot be stopped! In order to increase the level of independent chip manufacturing, China can only buy equipment from foreign lithography machine manufacturers such as ASML in the Netherlands. In the face of the restrictions of the United States, China must find a new development path from multiple directions and solve the problem of lithography machines, so as to promote the development of China's wafer industry and achieve scientific and technological self-sufficiency.
1. Lithography exports to China increased by 1,000
Lithography machines are indispensable equipment in the modern chip production process, and their exports to China have increased by 1,000%. Since domestic lithography technology is not yet mature, China urgently needs to introduce foreign advanced technology. As a giant in the field, the Dutch company ASML became the first choice for acquisitions. Despite the restrictions imposed by the United States, ASML has exported more lithography machines to China through various efforts. Over time, the mainland market has become ASML's primary revenue**, reaching 46% in Q3 2023. Despite the gradual tightening of export restrictions, data shows that in November and December, China's lithography machine purchases increased by about 1,000% year-on-year.
2. Lithography solutions from China.
In order to solve the problem of lithography machines, China has taken a number of measures. On the one hand, China has accelerated the research and development of advanced lithography machines, and has made significant progress in areas such as immersion DUVs. On the other hand, it actively acquires various types of foreign lithography machines and works closely with ASML. Despite the gradual tightening of controls in the United States, ASML has expressed its willingness to continue to work with the mainland market to ensure the delivery of equipment. For the development of the industry, China has reserved a large number of lithography machines, laying a solid foundation for future progress.
Technological progress and challenges.
Although the United States is trying to limit the pace of development of our chips, we have made significant progress in domestic advanced lithography technology, and are even close to a breakthrough. At the same time, Chinese factories will also face restrictions from the United States, but ASML's demand for equipment from mature process customers remains stable. In China, the global order delivery rate of Shanghai Microelectronics and other related enterprises is low, which provides an opportunity to accelerate domestic technology research and development and enhance independent innovation capabilities. Under the current international situation, China is facing unprecedented challenges in terms of technological progress and market response.
Independent R&D and international cooperation1 to meet the needs of national technological progress.
As China's advanced lithography technology research and development approaches a turning point, the domestic wafer manufacturing industry is developing in a more independent direction. At the same time, the active participation of Shanghai Microelectronics and other enterprises will lay a solid foundation for the development of China's lithography machine manufacturing industry. Through unremitting efforts, China's independent research and development strength in the field of wafer technology will be increasingly enhanced, and continue to promote the development of the entire industry.
2) The importance of international cooperation.
In the face of the technological blockade of the United States and other countries, China's international cooperation in the field of lithography machines is particularly important, and international manufacturers such as ASML have unique advantages in terms of technical strength and market experience, and can cooperate with them to promote the development of China's wafer industry. Although the external environment is complex and changeable, international cooperation is still the only way for China's scientific and technological development, and it is also an important guarantee for the sustainable development of China's wafer industry.
Summary. At present, China's lithography machine exports have increased by 1000%, showing the vigorous development of China's integrated circuit industry. In the face of the challenges and opportunities of the international environment, China has made positive progress in independent research and development and international cooperation. The support of international companies such as ASML has provided a strong guarantee for the technological progress of China's wafer industry, while the efforts and innovation of domestic enterprises have also promoted the rapid development of the entire industry. In the future, China's wafer industry will face more challenges, but it will also find more opportunities, continue to be at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, and inject new impetus into China's economic development.