Japan reportedly played a crucial role in keeping Chinese memory maker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) off the recently updated US Entity List, according to sources from China's supply chain

Amid heightened US-China chip tensions, Chinese regulators have launched an antitrust investigation into Nvidia, alleging that the US chip giant has violated the terms of its 2020 acquisition of Israeli networking company Mellanox Technologies

Taiwan's emerging drone sector shows promise but faces hurdles in catching up with China's established industry. Recent events demonstrate Taiwan's commitment to growing its drone sector, including the first specialized drone display at the Taipei International Electronics Show (TAITRONICS) in 2024 and the planned drone section at COMPUTEX in 2025

China's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency, spurred by US restrictions, is yielding dual-use technological advances that span both civilian and defense sectors. Several key developments highlight this trend

SK Hynix has announced a major organizational restructuring and executive appointments, highlighted by the creation of a new chief development officer (CDO) position to oversee DRAM and NAND Flash memory product development. The company has promoted Hyun Ahn, former head of the NAND solutions committee (N-S committee), to president and appointed him as the inaugural CDO

The US court has ruled that Samsung Electronics (Samsung) must pay US$118 million to American semiconductor company Netlist in a patent infringement lawsuit. This ruling has not only drawn attention to Netlist but also signals a potential trend towards stronger patent protections in the US, posing risks for South Korean companies like Samsung

Huawei's Mate 70 smartphone utilizes a specialized CIS from Spectricity to improve color accuracy, especially for its RYYB sensor. While this solution enhances color reproduction, it is costly. The Mate 70's strong sales and increased production demonstrate its popularity and Huawei's ability to innovate despite supply chain constraints

Japanese semiconductor distributors are strengthening their foothold in China through strategic partnerships and acquisitions to navigate the complexities of US-China trade tensions, particularly in meeting the growing demand for mature process chips in the automotive sector

Samsung Electronics launched its One UI 7 Beta testing program in Taiwan on December 6, 2024, introducing the most significant upgrade to the One UI interface in recent years. This update aligns with Samsung's strategy to integrate advanced AI features into its upcoming flagship model, the Galaxy S25, set to launch in the first quarter of 2025

The European Union is tightening its subsidy rules for green hydrogen production, effectively barring products with substantial Chinese involvement. The move reflects lessons learned from past challenges with Chinese competition, particularly in the solar energy sector, and aligns with strategies adopted by the US and Japan to counter Beijing's industrial dominance

The Chinese semiconductor industry is making strides in building an advanced local supply chain for packaging and testing, despite the US government's export controls targeting advanced processes and the AI sector

Intel finds itself in a precarious situation as the global supply chain, particularly among Taiwanese manufacturers, continues to struggle without viable solutions. Similarly, Samsung Electronics' foundry business remains a potential crisis point

Fujifilm is expanding its chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) polishing agent production in Japan to meet the rising demand for AI chips in Asia. This expansion will increase production by 30% and cater to major clients like TSMC. Fujifilm is also investing in other semiconductor materials, including EUV photoresists and color filter materials, to strengthen its position in the semiconductor industry

The Biden administration has unveiled the largest and most extensive list of chip sanctions against China to date, primarily targeting Chinese semiconductor equipment and materials manufacturers. However, the anticipated impact on the industry appears less severe than previously estimated due to Chinese enterprises focusing on localization for the past four to five years

NXP Semiconductors leads European expansion into China's semiconductor market, with executive vice president Andy Micallef outlining the company's plans to develop a supply chain in the region, citing China's position as the world's largest market for electric vehicles and telecommunications