Reuters reported on Tuesday that China has begun mass producing domestically developed “immersion deep-ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, a technology crucial to advanced chipmaking, a person familiar with the matter said, marking a key step forward in Beijing’s drive to reduce its reliance on foreign technology.”
China’s Global Times reported: “A breakthrough in China’s domestic lithography development sent shockwaves through global stock markets between Monday and Tuesday. From Europe and the US to Japan and South Korea, companies tied to the global chip equipment supply chain saw their stock prices drop, with Dutch lithography giant ASML taking a ‘hit’ of roughly 7 percent on Monday.” ASML has had a near monopoly on this technology, necessary for the most advanced chips. Global Times notes that the Chinese versions are not yet superior to the ASML machines, but successful deployment of the breakthrough would “give Chinese chipmakers an alternative source of equipment if Western governments further restrict exports or servicing of foreign lithography tools.”
