CHINA BEGINS MAKING OWN DUV CHIP EQUIPMENT

DUV machines are essential equipment in chip fabrication, used to etch circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. The technology has long been dominated by foreign suppliers, particularly Dutch company ASML, which controls the majority of the global market. China's domestic production of DUV equipment addresses a key vulnerability in its semiconductor supply chain. Western export controls and trade restrictions have limited Beijing's access to advanced chipmaking technology, prompting increased investment in homegrown alternatives. The development signals accelerating progress in China's semiconductor self-sufficiency goals, though experts note that matching the precision and reliability of established manufacturers will take time. DUV machines represent an intermediate step; more advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology remains largely out of reach for Chinese producers due to stricter export controls. The move reflects broader tensions between the U.S. and China over semiconductor technology access and supply chain security.