China sees surge in value of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment orders amid latest US export controls, as chip imports post mild recovery

0
3KB

China's imports of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment, the prime target of the United States government's updated tech export controls, surged in value by nearly 80 per cent in October from a year earlier, according to the mainland's latest customs data.

Imports of various chip-making tools - including those used to manufacture silicon wafers, integrated circuits (ICs) and flat-panel displays - totalled US$4.3 billion in October, up from US$2.4 billion in the same period last year, customs data showed.

That increased demand reflects the major effort by Chinese semiconductor companies to stockpile chip-making tools ahead of the latest US tech trade controls, which took effect a month after Washington's announcement.

 

The US Bureau of Industry and Security in October added less-advanced lithography equipment, used for making semiconductors on a 45-nanometre node and more mature processes, as well as certain advanced tools for etching and film deposition to a list of restricted items for export to China. This was expected to tighten controls that were enforced a year ago, which aimed to impede China's development of artificial intelligence chips and other advanced ICs.

China's semiconductor imports have gradually improved since recording a 26.5 per cent year-on-year decline in the first two months of 2023. Photo: Shutterstock alt=China's semiconductor imports have gradually improved since recording a 26.5 per cent year-on-year decline in the first two months of 2023. Photo: Shutterstock>

The latest US export restrictions further limit the range of chip lithography equipment that Netherlands-based ASML Holding can export to mainland China, the company's third-largest geographic market.

ASML has a monopoly on the world's most advanced extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, which are used to produce cutting-edge chips. The Dutch firm has not supplied these machines to China since 2019 under pressure from US sanctions.

Still, ASML is allowed to sell most of its less-advanced deep ultraviolet lithography systems to clients in China that produce so-called legacy chips, widely used in everything from cars to home appliances.

China's chip imports, meanwhile, have gradually improved since recording a 26.5 per cent year-on-year decline in the first two months of this year.

The total number of IC imports from January to November reached 437.6 billion units, down 12.1 per cent from the same period last year, according to data published by the General Administration of Customs on Thursday. By contrast, China's chip imports in the first 10 months of 2023 were down 13.1 per cent.

While the total value of chip imports from January to November was down 16.5 per cent year on year to US$316.6 billion, that marked an improvement from the 18.8 per cent drop in value in the first 10 months of the year. By comparison, the value of China's overall imports saw a 6 per cent decrease in the first 11 months of the year.

The latest chip import figures show a mild recovery in the domestic market, especially in the consumer electronics sector.

Smartphone sales in China, for example, rose 11 per cent in the first four weeks of October compared with a year earlier, according to a report from Counterpoint Research. It was the latest sign that the world's largest smartphone market is recovering from an eight-month slump, as top Chinese handset vendors led by Xiaomi, Honor and Huawei Technologies beat rival Apple in terms of growth during that period.

Suche
Kategorien
Mehr lesen
News
Choosing the Right QA Partner: Navigating the World of Software Testing Services
In today's hyper-competitive digital landscape, quality is not just a goal—it's a...
Von hikeqa 2025-04-08 07:04:07 0 798
Andere
Plant-Based Beverages Market Revenue Forecast: Growth, Share, Value, Size, and Insights
"Plant-Based Beverages Market Size And Forecast by 2031  The Dairy-Free Beverage Market is...
Von dbmrsuresh 2025-03-25 06:46:34 0 981
Andere
AMC Recalls: Your Safety Matters, Stay Informed
AMC, short for American Motors Corporation, has a rich history in the automotive industry....
Von officewebmaster315 2023-10-05 09:41:06 0 3KB
Andere
Efficient AV Installations with Cable Labeling and Wiring Diagrams
Sometimes, the efficiency of AV installations with cable labeling and wiring diagrams will make...
Von jamesespinosa926 2024-11-05 13:36:40 0 1KB
Spiele
Understanding Faridabad All Record, Disawar Record Chart, Satta King Disawar Ka Chart, and Gali Satta Result Chart
Satta King is a popular lottery game in India where players bet on numbers for a chance to win...
Von alexcery21 2025-07-05 18:06:40 0 588