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Reading guide: Can't stop it? The Netherlands officially announced! US media: The farce of lithography machine is finally over!
In the fierce competition in the global semiconductor industry, the importance of lithography machine as the core equipment for the production of semiconductor chips is self-evident. The Dutch company ASML occupies the commanding heights of the global market with its leading EUV lithography machine technology. However, in recent years, due to the interweaving of international factors, the export restrictions of lithography machines have become the focus of attention of all parties. Dutch Prime Minister Rutte's visit to China and the official announcement have also brought new variables to the global semiconductor industry.
As the core equipment of semiconductor manufacturing, the accuracy and stability of lithography machine directly affect the quality and performance of chips. Without advanced lithography machines, advanced chips cannot be produced, which is crucial for any country. However, due to technical barriers and the influence of international factors, the export restrictions of lithography machines have been plaguing the global semiconductor industry. The restrictions of the tripartite agreement between the Netherlands, Japan and the United States make it impossible for ASML's advanced EUV lithography machines to be directly exported to the mainland, which undoubtedly brings great challenges to the development of the mainland's semiconductor industry.
Faced with this dilemma, the Dutch side did not sit still. Dutch Prime Minister Rutte's visit to China is precisely to seek a way to solve the problem of export restrictions on lithography machines. During his visit to China, Rutte officially announced that the Netherlands would ensure that the regulation of lithography machines would not be targeted at a particular country and would work to reduce the impact of the restrictions. This statement undoubtedly put an end to the farce of lithography machines, and also brought new hope to the global semiconductor industry.
With the positive statement of the Dutch side, ASML has also increased its shipments to the mainland market. In the first two months of 2024, ASML exported 32 lithography machines to the mainland, worth up to 7 billion yuan. This figure not only demonstrates the huge demand for advanced lithography machines in the mainland market, but also reflects ASML's importance and confidence in the mainland market.
In fact, ASML is becoming more and more dependent on the mainland market. As one of the world's largest semiconductor consumer markets, mainland China has a huge demand for lithography machines. Especially in the context of the high globalization of the global semiconductor industry chain, mainland enterprises play an indispensable role in it. ASML understands that the loss of the mainland market will have a huge impact on its performance. Therefore, despite the constraints of international factors, ASML still insists on exporting lithography machines to the mainland and continuously increasing shipments.
However, the solution to the problem of export restrictions on lithography machines did not happen overnight. Although the Dutch side has made a positive statement, the specific implementation still needs the joint efforts of all parties. At the same time, we also need to be soberly aware that the independent research and development and innovation of lithography machine technology is still the key to the development of the semiconductor industry in the mainland. We cannot rely too much on imported equipment, but to strengthen the ability of independent innovation, and improve the technical level and market competitiveness of domestic lithography machines.
In addition, we also need to pay attention to the competitive landscape and trends of the global semiconductor industry. With the rapid development of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, the market demand for the semiconductor industry will continue to grow. At the same time, countries are also increasing investment and support for the semiconductor industry, trying to gain more voice and dominance in this field. Therefore, we need to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with international advanced enterprises to jointly promote the healthy development of the global semiconductor industry.
In short, the end of the lithography machine farce has brought new opportunities and challenges to the global semiconductor industry. We should seize this opportunity to strengthen the ability of independent innovation, improve the technical level and market competitiveness of domestic lithography machines, and at the same time, we should also strengthen cooperation and exchanges with international advanced enterprises to jointly promote the prosperity and development of the global semiconductor industry. In this process, we also need to maintain a sober mind and pragmatic attitude, continue to learn and learn from international advanced experience and technological achievements, and inject new vitality and impetus into the development of the mainland's semiconductor industry.
In the future, with the continuous development and transformation of the global semiconductor industry, lithography machines, as one of the core equipment, will continue to play an important role. We believe that with the joint efforts of all parties, the issue of export restrictions on lithography machines will be properly resolved, and the global semiconductor industry will usher in a broader development space and a better future.