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ASML

The latest news and top stories on ASML. A leading entity in the semiconductor equipment sector, Netherlands-based ASML specialises in developing and manufacturing photolithography machines, including advanced Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) and Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) systems. It primarily serves global semiconductor manufacturers like Intel, Samsung and TSMC. ASML holds a near-monopoly in the lithography market, being the sole global supplier of EUV machines and commanding approximately 90 per cent of the overall lithography market. Its overall business focus is on continuous innovation and strategic partnerships to enable the production of smaller, more powerful microchips.

China’s state-backed lithography champion Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment (SMEE) has reshuffled its business. Photo: Reuters

Semiconductors

China’s top lithography bet shifts gears: SMEE sells subsidiary in key pivot

State-backed SMEE, often dubbed China’s best ASML challenger, has sold Shanghai Weiyao to AMIES in a move that prioritises tool development.

7 Jan 2026 - 8:00PM

India

‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few

22 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM

Semiconductors

China eyes mastery of EUV lithography, bolstering AI chip ambitions: analysts

19 Dec 2025 - 8:00PM

China trade

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

Traditional European exports like cars are losing their appeal, while restrictions crimp sales of sought-after lithography machines.

18 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM

A China-Europe freight train leave the transshipment yard of Tongjiang North Railway Station in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on December 9. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

8 Dec 2025 - 6:01PM

Huawei

How Huawei could use a 2022 patent to make 2-nm-class chips without key tool

The proposed solution offers a technical pathway to support a 2-nm process using older DUV technology.

4 Dec 2025 - 12:00PM

Nexperia

Opinion | Netherlands’ Nexperia blunder shows it has forgotten its own history

The Netherlands’ pragmatic approach – separating commercial interests from geopolitical alignment – once made it a friend to all.

25 Nov 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

A truck waits outside the gate of Nexperia’s factory in Dongguan, Guangdong province on November 7. Photo: Reuters

Science

Lithography breakthrough: China creates 14nm chip with compact EUV light source

Hefei-based company improves manufacture of the semiconductors used to power industrial automation and electric cars.

22 Nov 2025 - 3:40PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Exclusive | ‘Progress cannot be stopped’: China’s chief Paris envoy talks trade, EV tariffs

Deng Li says China and Europe can build emerging sectors like EVs together, Beijing not interested in ‘completely unnecessary’ trade surplus.

29 Oct 2025 - 2:27PMvideocam

Hong Kong tourism

Letters | Halal seafood districts and other ideas for boosting Hong Kong tourism

Readers discuss ideas for creating a distinct brand of halal tourism, how China can play serious hardball on rare earths, and the US president’s deal-making.

28 Oct 2025 - 11:37AM

A view of restaurant signs and boats at Lei Yue Mun on September 22. Given that seafood is generally considered halal, there exists a unique opportunity to promote areas like Lei Yue Mun and Sai Kung as halal seafood districts. Photo: Sam Tsang

US-China relations

Opinion | US-China tit-for-tat escalation is now a feature, not a bug

Expect Beijing and Washington to repeat a familiar pattern every time the other side achieves a breakthrough or an edge in market dominance.

19 Oct 2025 - 5:53PMvideocam

An employee works at a semiconductor factory in Huaian, Jiangsu province, on April 29, 2024. Photo: AFP

Semiconductors

China’s new hope in breaking reliance on foreign chipmaking machines

Advanced lithography remains a significant bottleneck for China, but a new company founded in February offers new optimism.

19 Oct 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Editorial | Europe can only play so much tech hardball with China

The Europeans might want a more muscular policy towards China, but Beijing still holds significant leverage when it comes to trade.

18 Oct 2025 - 7:15AM

US-China relations

US lawmakers push expanded chip export curbs on China

Bipartisan panel urges widened controls on chip tools and tighter coordination with allies amid fears Trump is easing tech limits.

8 Oct 2025 - 5:58AM

Semiconductor chips under process at a factory in Binzhou, in eastern China’s Shandong province. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

China debuts first e-beam lithography tool for commercial use in chip milestone

Beijing’s efforts to build its own chipmaking tools may be paying off as global competition in the sector heats up.

14 Aug 2025 - 9:00PM

Electronic engineer holding computer chip with Chinese flag design. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Semiconductors

ASML launches science project in China to discover new talent in lithography

The competition is committed to creating a ‘window for contestants to deeply explore lithography technology’, according to the company.

26 Jun 2025 - 8:27PM

ASML

China’s top lithography bet shifts gears: SMEE sells subsidiary in key pivot

State-backed SMEE, often dubbed China’s best ASML challenger, has sold Shanghai Weiyao to AMIES in a move that prioritises tool development.

‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few

China eyes mastery of EUV lithography, bolstering AI chip ambitions: analysts

As trade deficit mounts, is EU selling what China wants to buy?

Traditional European exports like cars are losing their appeal, while restrictions crimp sales of sought-after lithography machines.

Macron’s trade ultimatum to China goes public: fix surplus or face tariffs

French president says EU could copy American protectionism, warning that a lopsided flow of goods results in China ‘effectively killing their own customers’.

How Huawei could use a 2022 patent to make 2-nm-class chips without key tool

The proposed solution offers a technical pathway to support a 2-nm process using older DUV technology.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Netherlands’ Nexperia blunder shows it has forgotten its own history

The Netherlands’ pragmatic approach – separating commercial interests from geopolitical alignment – once made it a friend to all.

Lithography breakthrough: China creates 14nm chip with compact EUV light source

Hefei-based company improves manufacture of the semiconductors used to power industrial automation and electric cars.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | ‘Progress cannot be stopped’: China’s chief Paris envoy talks trade, EV tariffs

Deng Li says China and Europe can build emerging sectors like EVs together, Beijing not interested in ‘completely unnecessary’ trade surplus.

Letters | Halal seafood districts and other ideas for boosting Hong Kong tourism

Readers discuss ideas for creating a distinct brand of halal tourism, how China can play serious hardball on rare earths, and the US president’s deal-making.

Opinion | US-China tit-for-tat escalation is now a feature, not a bug

Expect Beijing and Washington to repeat a familiar pattern every time the other side achieves a breakthrough or an edge in market dominance.

China’s new hope in breaking reliance on foreign chipmaking machines

Advanced lithography remains a significant bottleneck for China, but a new company founded in February offers new optimism.

Editorial | Europe can only play so much tech hardball with China

The Europeans might want a more muscular policy towards China, but Beijing still holds significant leverage when it comes to trade.

US lawmakers push expanded chip export curbs on China

Bipartisan panel urges widened controls on chip tools and tighter coordination with allies amid fears Trump is easing tech limits.

China debuts first e-beam lithography tool for commercial use in chip milestone

Beijing’s efforts to build its own chipmaking tools may be paying off as global competition in the sector heats up.

ASML launches science project in China to discover new talent in lithography

The competition is committed to creating a ‘window for contestants to deeply explore lithography technology’, according to the company.

Opinion | Netherlands’ Nexperia blunder shows it has forgotten its own history

Exclusive | ‘Progress cannot be stopped’: China’s chief Paris envoy talks trade, EV tariffs