In the realm of technology, secrets often lie beneath the surface, waiting to be unearthed. Such is the case with Huawei's enigmatic chip, a marvel shrouded in mystery until recently. Through Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), Huawei has been quietly harnessing American technology to craft cutting-edge chips within the heart of China.
These chips, fabricated at 7nm, emerged from Huawei's facilities in 2023, catching the attention of industry insiders and analysts alike. According to reports from Bloomberg, SMIC orchestrated the production process utilizing machinery sourced from the United States, acquired prior to the onset of sanctions in October 2022.
The very machines powering this technological marvel hail from none other than Applied Materials Inc and Lam Research Corp, titans of innovation nestled in the Californian landscape, as reported by Reuters on Friday, March 8th, 2024.
Both the White House and the involved parties—Huawei, Applied Materials, Lam Research, and SMIC—have maintained a conspicuous silence regarding this revelation. However, one fact remains irrefutable: the United States government has long sought to isolate Huawei and SMIC from the advanced technologies originating from the land of Uncle Sam.
Huawei, for instance, found itself entangled in trade bans as early as 2019, during Donald Trump's presidency, under accusations of violating embargo sanctions. SMIC followed suit in 2020, facing similar restrictions due to alleged ties with China's military-industrial complex. Despite vehement denials and assertions of innocence from both Huawei and SMIC, the ban persisted.
The latest prohibition came in February 2024, swiftly following SMIC's production of the Kirin 9000S chip, a component featured in Huawei's Mate 60 Pro. This decree extended to encompass all other Chinese enterprises, forbidding them from procuring the most advanced AI chips from companies leveraging American technology. Instead, they were relegated to AI chips with severely curtailed capabilities. 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1
In this intricate dance of technological diplomacy and geopolitical maneuvering, Huawei's clandestine utilization of American machinery adds yet another layer of complexity. As the saga unfolds, it underscores the interconnectedness of the global technological landscape and the delicate balance of power therein. Huawei's mysterious chip may be just the tip of the iceberg, hinting at deeper entanglements and secrets yet to be revealed in the ever-evolving tapestry of international technology.
