In 2018, a seemingly ordinary year, it has become the starting point of great changes in the chip industry. That year, Netherlands' ASML decided to stop selling EUV lithography machines to SMIC in China. What is a lithography machine? To put it simply, it is the key equipment for chip manufacturing. ASML is no longer sold, it's like a sudden power outage in the workshop, all relying on flashlights to work, and the efficiency is suddenly reduced.
Later, ZTE and Huawei were targeted by United States on the grounds of "national security". This may sound like a high-sounding statement, but the intent behind it is clear. United States began to exert "technological hegemony" in an attempt to suppress China's technological progress by restricting high-tech exports. Many people may not have paid much attention to the news at the time, but as time went on, the impact of these events on global trade patterns became more and more apparent.
In 2019, the United States' suppression of China's chip industry entered a climax, and the global semiconductor industry chain began to turmoil. How did the global chip industry chain work in the past? To put it simply, everyone has their own role. The United States is responsible for upstream design and IP, Europe provides key processing equipment, and Asia, especially Southeast Asia, focuses on chip foundry and packaging. This model is efficient and cost-effective, and all parties benefit from it.
However, United States' crackdown on China has changed all that. Countries are beginning to realize the risks of relying on a single supply chain, so they have invested resources in trying to build their own independent chip industry chains. Europe and Japan are all acting, and Japan even invited TSMC to build factories and strive to start its own era of chip manufacturing. This scene is like a big show, everyone wants to get a piece of the pie on stage.
Zhang Zhongmou, the founder of TSMC, once said that this situation will only slow down the update and iteration of chips and push up costs. In other words, although this is not good for the development of the chip industry, everyone has no choice. The globalized model of division of labor and cooperation has been broken and replaced by a pattern of silos.
In the entire chip manufacturing process, the lithography machine is one of the most core equipment. It can be said that whoever masters the lithography machine will be able to occupy an advantage in the field of chips. ASML is the king of the lithography machine market, especially in the field of high-end EUV lithography machines. ASML's success is not accidental, but stems from mistakes in the direction of lithography machine development in the United States and Japan.
United States wants to curb the development of China's chip industry, it is natural to focus on ASML. The United States government requires that all companies that use United States technology and parts must obtain a license to supply products to China. This requirement is like putting a shackle on ASML, restricting its cooperation with Chinese companies.
However, former ASML CEO Peter · Winnick bluntly said in an interview with Netherlands Radio that United States' restrictions are not based on facts or figures, but on ideology. This statement reveals the hypocrisy behind United States so-called "national security". Winnick's view has been shared by many foreign media, who believe that Chinese companies no longer expect to solve problems by importing lithography machines.
In the face of United States suppression, China has not sat still. We began to increase the cultivation of integrated circuit talents, support related enterprises, and realize the localization of the chip industry chain.
In the past two years, we have stopped talking about imported lithography machines, but have focused on independent research and development.
Our efforts have not been in vain. High-end chips like the Kirin 9000S have come out one after another, proving China's progress in the field of chips. Through continuous innovation and practice, we have gradually narrowed the gap with the international advanced level. There is still a long way to go, but we have taken a critical step.
The technological blockade of United States has undoubtedly brought challenges to China's chip industry, but it has also stimulated our independent innovation capabilities. As Peter · Winnick said, this chip battle could last for decades. In the face of uncertainty in the future, we need to continue to work hard and continuously improve the level of independent research and development.
However, this process also exposes a question: Is global cooperation really obsolete? Or will we have to choose to fight separately in the face of United States' technological hegemony? Will this situation lead to a slowdown in global scientific and technological progress? These are questions worth pondering.
As the saying goes, "things should be long-term", in the process of restructuring the global chip industry chain, we should remain calm and confident. Although there are many challenges, as long as we unswervingly promote independent innovation, we will be able to occupy a favorable position in the future scientific and technological competition. After all, there will always be a rainbow after the storm, and our chip industry will continue to grow and expand in the wind and rain.