ASML launches science project in China to discover new talent in lithography
South China Morning Post - TechThursday, June 26, 2025 at 12:00:08 PM
ASML, the Dutch company that dominates the market for advanced chipmaking machines, is rolling out a science competition in China to scout and nurture engineering talent—specifically in lithography, the ultra-precise process that prints microscopic circuits onto silicon chips. This move signals ASML’s determination to stay engaged with China’s tech sector, even as the U.S. tightens restrictions on exporting cutting-edge semiconductor tech to the country.
Editor’s Note: ASML isn’t just selling machines—it’s investing in China’s future engineers, which could help the country grow its homegrown chip expertise. But it’s also a tricky balancing act: the U.S. is pushing hard to limit China’s access to advanced tech, so ASML’s talent hunt walks a fine line between collaboration and geopolitical tensions. For China, this could be a step toward more self-reliance in chips, a sector where it’s been heavily reliant on foreign tech. For ASML, it’s a bet on long-term relationships in a market too big to ignore.
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