Reborn since 1993

Chapter 400: Dragon Opens the Water Mist

Wu Xinyi's face had an uncertain expression. As a veteran in the semiconductor industry, he knew too well the infighting in this industry.

As the top industry in the field of science and technology, too many stories have happened around this industry, including the grievances between major semiconductor companies, the bloody story between Intel and AMD, IBM's trouble-making for Intel, and so on.

There is also the dispute between Japan Benz, old Europe and American Semiconductor, America's suppression of Japan Benz Semiconductor, etc. All these happened within this industry.

Regarding semiconductors, a large number of upstream and downstream companies such as lithography machines, chip companies, wafer fabs, semiconductor materials, etc., are fighting each other but also banding together for warmth, forming a global market worth 600 billion US dollars!
It's not Wu Xinyi's conspiracy theory, but I have witnessed the intrigues in this industry with my own eyes. I know how America, Japan, and old Europe treat their opponents. They are very cherishing of their technology and are unwilling to reveal even a little bit to their opponents.

In order to attack the opponent, they will use every possible means. Just look at how America has dealt with Japan's semiconductor industry in recent years, and you will know how fierce and intense the fight is.

When Wu Xinyi suddenly heard Li Dongling asking Doxin Semiconductor to stockpile equipment and parts and be prepared to no longer be able to buy lithography machines and chip equipment, materials, and parts from overseas, his first thought was that something big was about to happen.

"Could it be that... the Batumi Agreement is about to appear again?"

Wu Xinyi's voice couldn't help but change a little. At Dongxin Semiconductor, a large part of the equipment, parts, materials, etc. used in the lithography machines and chip projects that are being developed are imported from overseas.

If we were to stop producing overseas equipment and parts and components on our own, or invest in other domestic companies to replace them, the cost would be too high.

The Batumi Agreement was established to deal with the Russian bear, but after the Russian bear fell and America became the global hegemon, the Batumi Agreement was also dissolved.

The domestic technology industry has also undergone tremendous changes due to the dissolution of this agreement. The computer industry is the most obvious example. Previously, due to this agreement, computers from America, old Europe, and Japan could not enter the country on a large scale.

But after the dissolution of the Batumi, coupled with the adjustment of domestic tariffs on computers and other products, various overseas computer brands began to impact the domestic market, almost wiping out domestic computer companies. The banner of defending domestic computer brands was also raised at that time, and the most powerful one among them was Lenovo...

However, the entire domestic computer industry, from brand manufacturers to component manufacturers, has undergone tremendous changes. Computer software and core component companies represented by foreign companies such as Intel and Microsoft have completely occupied most of the domestic market.

Li Dongling looked at Wu Xinyi, "I'm not sure yet, but there is news that this year America held a meeting with more than 30 regions in Wassenaar, the Netherlands. They may launch a new agreement similar to the Batumi Agreement next year to target regions that have not joined this agreement!"

Li Dongling did not mention the Wassenaar Arrangement directly, but Wu Xinyi had no doubts about what Li Dongling said.

After all, with Dongling Hi-Tech's current status in the technology industry and the support from departments such as the Economic and Trade Commission, it is not a problem at all to reveal some inside information to Dongling Hi-Tech. On the contrary, if Dongling Hi-Tech does not know these industry inside stories and does not make preparations in advance, then there would be a problem.

In fact, before the Wassenaar Arrangement, America, old Europe, Japan, South Korea and other places were already wary of domestic companies. Some top equipment, including high-end precision machine tools, chemical instruments, semiconductor equipment, etc., were actually not sold to the domestic market, but it was not done openly. It was the kind of situation that everyone knew but did not point it out.

But when the Wassenaar Arrangement came out next year, its attitude was basically made clear, and it provided an excuse to openly start targeting the domestic market in the high-tech field. Of course, it was not just the domestic market. Companies in any region that did not join the agreement and wanted to emerge in the technology industry were disgusted by this agreement. This agreement was like the Sophon in The Three-Body Problem, which wanted to lock down the technology in certain places.

However, as the only place in the world with a complete industrial system and a rapidly expanding technology tree, the Chinese people feel this agreement more deeply!

Wu Xinyi's face showed an anxious look. He was in no mood to celebrate the New Year. "Mr. Li, Dongxin Semiconductor needs to apply for more funds. We need to ask the agency in Hong Kong and the public relations company to buy more technology, equipment, materials, and production lines. I'm afraid it will cost a lot!" Wu Xinyi said.

"You don't have to worry about the funding. Dongling Hi-Tech Port City Company has some foreign exchange in the account, including US dollars, European currencies, and Japanese yen. If it's not enough, the headquarters can ask the Foreign Exchange Department to get more foreign exchange for Dongxin Semiconductor!"

Hearing Li Dongling's words, Wu Xinyi nodded heavily. At this time, he no longer wanted to stay there. He wanted to go back to the provincial capital to take inventory of the technology, equipment, and parts needed by Dongxin Semiconductor, and then purchase them from overseas. After the first half of next year, he might not have a chance to buy them!

After Wu Xinyi left, Li Dongling felt that Dongling Hi-Tech Headquarters, Oriental Optoelectronics, Shenzhou Storage and other companies also needed to make preparations in advance and stockpile all the things that should be stockpiled in advance.

As for the implementation of the Wassenaar Arrangement, we can only deal with it as it comes, or we can only lie down and be bullied.

But as for being too worried, there is no need to worry. In fact, the Wassenaar Arrangement is not without loopholes.

After all, if you look at the regions that have signed the agreement, the Russians and Indians are still included, you will know the composition of the members of this agreement. There will be cooperation among them, but it is wishful thinking to expect full cooperation. Even America and Europe are still calculating against each other.

Even when the Batumi agreement was signed, Sweden, France, Italy, West Germany and even Britain were all flirting with the Russian Bear and selling a lot of high-end precision machine tools and other equipment to the Russian Bear. It was only when America took advantage of the situation to deal a good deal with Nippon Benz and Toshiba that these traitors finally behaved themselves.

Although old Europe and America are in the same camp, it does not mean that old Europe is really willing to be cannon fodder for America. It is true that they are afraid of the Russian bear, but they do not want America to become their living father and use them as blood bags for no reason.

Moreover, there are a lot of traitors in America, especially on Wall Street. As long as it is profitable, they don't care about Capitol Hill or not. During World War II, those companies on Wall Street sent a lot of money and supplies to Germany in order to make money.

When Doxin Semiconductor and Dongling Hi-Tech had not yet been officially included in the American target list, Li Dongling felt that he needed to recruit a few American traitors to act as lobbyists for Dongling Hi-Tech in America.

Feiyan Technology's listing this time is an opportunity to cooperate with the boldest and most powerful investment banks and public relations companies on Wall Street, and Goldman Sachs will definitely be the first to bear the brunt.

As long as they can make dollars, Goldman Sachs and Wall Street companies will definitely be willing to support Doxin Semiconductor, which can alleviate some of the pressure on Dongling Hi-Tech. As long as they can make enough money and hype up some concepts on the Nasdaq, they can create a company like Nvidia, whose market value has increased a hundredfold in a few years. Wall Street is probably willing to pay a huge price for this and lobby for Dongling Hi-Tech.

But no matter what, next year will be a year of huge changes for Dongling Hi-Tech and the entire domestic technology industry. Whether it is a crisis or an opportunity depends on how it is managed!

……

Just as Li Dongling was thinking about it, a huge cheer came from outside.

The administrative department of Dongling Hi-Tech has posted this year's year-end bonus plan. Most employees will receive four months' salary as a year-end bonus, supervisors and the technical department will receive six months' salary as a year-end bonus, and outstanding employee representatives selected by the department will receive one year's salary as a year-end bonus. There are also other prizes!

(End of this chapter)