Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Applied Materials No-Politics Thread (AMAT) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Kirk © who wrote (7738)	10/24/2003 3:44:00 PM
From: C_Johnson	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 25522

Hi Kirk, Wouldn't lower mask costs of 6" and 8" be a benefit for China as it gains experience making its own chips? It's a benefit to China and anyone else who wants to get in the business. You mention "experience", I don't think the Chinese are as inexperienced as you might think. Interestingly, SMIC is not a 100% Chinese venture. The company was funded, almost 65 percent, by US investors (Goldman Sachs being one of those investors). Technology at SMIC is being developed with help from experts that were with Toshiba. NEC is moving some manufacturing technology to China as are the Foundries. A great number of chip engineers from Taiwan are moving to China. China is also developing a formidable design community. Sure, they will have fits and starts but there is a lot of expertise and experience moving to China. Regards, Carl