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Tuesday 2 September 2025
SK Hynix strikes pay deal, lifting average worker bonus to US$78,600

SK Hynix ended a protracted labor dispute by scrapping a ceiling on worker bonuses, easing the risk of strikes after nearly three months of wage talks

Tuesday 2 September 2025
China promotes computing power vouchers to boost AI adoption among enterprises
Multiple local governments in China have introduced "computing power vouchers" to reduce costs and increase access to artificial intelligence (AI) technology for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These vouchers, essentially government subsidies, allow companies to purchase computing power services at significantly lower prices, accelerating digital transformation across various industries
Tuesday 2 September 2025
GlobalFoundries picks Qorvo exec Victor Hu to lead China strategy
GlobalFoundries (GF) has named Victor Hu, a semiconductor industry veteran with over 25 years of leadership experience, as vice president of sales and president of China. In this role, Hu will lead strategic planning, business development, and partner relations in what the company views as one of its most important growth markets
Tuesday 2 September 2025
China's urgent TV orders boost panel manufacturers' utilization rates
As China continues to implement dynamic production cuts, the output reduction has stabilized LCD TV panel prices in August. Meanwhile, major Chinese TV brands such as TCL and Hisense have recently released urgent orders, leading industry experts to expect that LCD TV panel prices in September will likely remain stable
Tuesday 2 September 2025
China's YMTC moves into DRAM, teams with CXMT to target HBM market
Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp. (YMTC), China's largest NAND flash producer, is expanding into the DRAM sector as part of Beijing's broader drive to compete in advanced memory markets like high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Industry sources indicate YMTC could begin investing in DRAM equipment by late 2025, while actively pursuing a strategic partnership with domestic DRAM leader ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT)
Tuesday 2 September 2025
China's new AI content regulations take effect; 'labeling' requirement may impact entire industry chain
Starting September 1, 2025, China officially implemented the Measures for the Labelling of Artificial Intelligence-Generated and Synthetic Content. This regulatory framework is regarded as a new standard for AI content and will fundamentally transform the ecosystem of AI-generated online content in China. It will also directly affect behavioral norms from model developers to general creators
Tuesday 2 September 2025
SK Hynix expected to outpace Samsung, Micron in HBM share
SK Hynix is expected to retain more than half of the global high-bandwidth memory (HBM) market through at least 2027, cementing its role as Nvidia's top supplier while broadening its reach across the memory semiconductor spectrum, according to forecasts cited by South Korean media, including Business Post, ZDNet Korea, and Yonhap
Tuesday 2 September 2025
US strips Samsung, SK Hynix of China exemptions, dealing major blow to Korean chipmakers
The US Commerce Department plans to revoke long-standing waivers that have allowed Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to operate their Chinese chip plants using American equipment. The new rules, set to take effect within 120 days, heighten tensions between Washington and Beijing while putting South Korea in a difficult position
Tuesday 2 September 2025
China's SMIC seeks 100% control of SMIC North; what's really behind state investor exits?
China's chipmakers remain blocked from sub-7nm breakthroughs, but expansion in mature-node manufacturing is surging, led by 12-inch wafer fabs. SMIC has accelerated construction since 2021, and its planned full acquisition of Semiconductor Manufacturing North China Corp. (SMIC North) is now in focus for its potential to lift revenue and profitability
Tuesday 2 September 2025
Samsung and SK Hynix VEU exemption revocation opens door for Micron and Chinese chipmakers
On August 29, 2025, local time, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced it will revoke the Validated End-User (VEU) exemptions previously granted to South Korean manufacturers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix for using US-made semiconductor equipment in their China-based factories
Tuesday 2 September 2025
Samsung reportedly restarts investment in Taylor fab; Tesla chip mass production timeline revealed
Samsung Electronics will resume its investment in the foundry plant in Taylor, Texas. The previous delays caused by customer confirmation issues have reportedly been resolved, and Samsung is set to launch approximately KRW4 trillion (US$2.9 billion) worth of equipment investments at the Taylor facility, driven primarily by a large order from Tesla
Tuesday 2 September 2025
Nittobo's Fukushima bet shakes up CoWoS supply chain, Taiwan Glass on the line
The global surge in generative AI is driving explosive growth in the AI server market, making advanced CoWoS packaging a crucial battleground for GPU makers and custom chip developers. However, shortages of key upstream materials for IC substrates have created a chokepoint, forcing customers to scramble for supply
Tuesday 2 September 2025
Alibaba denies massive Cambricon chip order
Alibaba Group is reportedly making progress in its development and supply strategies for AI chips. There are mixed reports regarding the company’s procurement of computing power chips. Some foreign and Chinese media sources have suggested that Alibaba's next-generation AI chip is currently in the testing phase and is compatible with Nvidia products. However, reportedly, this chip may not be manufactured by TSMC anymore and could instead be produced by a domestic Chinese foundry. Alibaba has not publicly confirmed these claims
Tuesday 2 September 2025
China's GPU dream runs hot: Huawei, SMIC surge while Cambricon calls for calming down
China's drive to develop a homegrown GPU ecosystem is accelerating, but industry leaders warn of overheating and deep-seated bottlenecks. Cambricon Technologies, frequently portrayed as the nation's AI champion, cautioned investors against inflated expectations, projecting 2025 revenue of just CNY5–7 billion (approx. US$700 million–US$980 million). The guidance highlights the widening gulf between market hype and the hard realities of China's semiconductor ambitions
Tuesday 2 September 2025
China’s AI chip hopefuls step into Nvidia’s void
The global AI surge has turned computing power into a core strategic resource. With Washington tightening curbs on advanced GPU exports, Nvidia's revenue in China has collapsed, opening a rare market window for domestic AI chipmakers