Chapter 533 12-inch Chip Factory (Bug Fix): New Year's Eve
Wang Xiao didn't return to her hotel to sleep until late at night. When she got up for lunch, Zhang Rujing gave her some good news in the elevator—don't misunderstand, it wasn't that Dr. Zhang decided to take a gamble and agreed to build a 12-inch chip factory in mainland China. He wasn't planning to ruin himself yet.
Instead, Kawanishi Tsuyoshi said that if they build a new factory, he can help introduce Japanese engineers to work there.
Wang Xiao raised his eyebrows and laughed: "Mr. Chuanxi is truly a kind and warm-hearted man."
The elevator descended floor by floor, and the indicator lights lit up one by one.
Zhang Rujing sighed: "The Japanese semiconductor market is not doing well this year."
Putting aside other issues, the Japanese government spearheaded the separation of NEC and Hitachi's DRAM businesses into a merger to form Elpida. This business consolidation inevitably led to overlapping positions, resulting in the marginalization or reassignment of many technical personnel.
Naturally, some people will become disheartened and seek other ways out.
In addition, Mitsubishi Electric has also clearly stated this year that it plans to lay off 15,000 employees over the next three years.
While Toshiba has not initiated layoffs this year, it has begun transitioning to an internal corporate structure with a focus on evaluating cash flow. Clearly, this is paving the way for subsequent business restructuring and personnel optimization.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are chip factories. In the coming years, layoffs at Japanese semiconductor companies may become even more severe.
Wang Xiao sighed, "Mr. Chuanxi really put a lot of thought into this."
Zhang Rujing was stunned, suspecting that she had used the wrong idiom, so he could only laugh it off: "Mr. Kawanishi is indeed very concerned about chip factories, and he is also very optimistic about the future development of the semiconductor industry in mainland China."
Wang Xiao chuckled and shook his head, saying, "I'm not saying he's doing this for us; he is indeed showing goodwill. But more than that, he's been working tirelessly for Japan's semiconductor industry."
Dr. Zhang believed that although he was old, his mind was still quite sharp, but he still couldn't keep up with Mr. Wang's thought process.
How did introducing Japanese engineers to work in China become a matter of benefiting the Japanese semiconductor industry?
In fact, Kawanishi Tsuyoshi's career path has been widely criticized.
After achieving remarkable success at Toshiba, he went on to serve as a technical advisor at Samsung, which was then closely following Toshiba. His technical guidance became a crucial factor in the breakthrough of Samsung's DRAM business.
For this, he was accused of helping Toshiba's competitors.
In the eyes of radicals, he was no less than a thief and traitor to the Japanese semiconductor industry.
Even though he introduced Japanese engineers to work abroad, it was only out of compassion that he didn't want the engineers to lose their livelihoods.
From the perspective of radicals in Japan, this would probably be considered utterly heinous.
However, in Mr. Wang's mouth, Kawanishi Tsuyoshi's actions were instead portrayed as him working tirelessly for Japan's semiconductor industry.
Wang Xiao nodded seriously: "The company is laying off employees. If the engineers can't find jobs in their field, they'll have to change careers or simply become unemployed. Over time, their expertise will become useless. Now, Mr. Kawanishi is helping them find jobs so that their skills can be put to use. Then, in the future, when Japan's semiconductor industry hopes to recover and revitalize, there will naturally be skilled people available."
She laughed and said, "If the platforms in Japan aren't enough, then we'll find platforms outside. Mr. Kawanishi has really gone to great lengths. I'm sure everyone will understand his good intentions in the future."
Zhang Rujing was overwhelmed with mixed feelings; he didn't even know how to describe his emotions.
In fact, using other people's platforms to cultivate one's own people is common all over the world and in all industries.
For example, in the semiconductor industry, when Taiwan wanted to develop semiconductors in the 1970s, it launched a core talent training program in the United States. Robert Tsao of United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Fan-Cheng Tseng of TSMC, Ming-Kai Tsai, the founder of MediaTek, Ting-Yuan Yang, the founder of Winbond Electronics, and Ching-Chu Chang of World Advanced Technology were all among this group of young people.
They later returned to Taiwan after completing their studies and participated in the construction of Taiwan's first integrated circuit demonstration factory, bringing back key technologies such as CMOS.
However, Taiwan's approach is a typical conventional fire-starter model, where countries and regions lacking technology send people to technologically advanced countries and regions to bring back the fire.
In this process, the United States acted as a sower. It shared the seed with Taiwan, which gave Taiwan the hope of developing semiconductors.
Japanese engineers working in mainland China today should be playing a similar role; they are responsible for disseminating technology and facilitating its flow.
But if the US semiconductor industry declines, can we really expect American engineers and semiconductor experts scattered around the world to return and revitalize it?
Lord, it's impossible that Zhang Rujing could shake his head without even thinking.
The United States certainly wouldn't expect this model, nor would its values and mindset dictate that it would do so. When it really needs talent, it will simply poach talent from all over the world.
Zhang Rujing found it increasingly interesting that Japan relied on external platforms to preserve its semiconductor talent pool, which seemed to embody the spirit of "survival in dire straits and seizing the opportunity to rise again"—a kind of Bushido-like mentality.
Now, in the 21st century, Japan's actions seem unbelievable from a modern perspective.
Even if the industry declines and temporarily loses its local platform, core technologies must be kept alive in the global industrial chain through talent, because talent is the most important carrier of technology.
The fact that Mr. Wang could see this at a glance is even more incredible.
Zhang Rujing sighed inwardly. No wonder Boss Wang could hire so many people to work for her, including himself.
This really isn't just about money.
He let out a long sigh and exclaimed, "Mr. Kawanishi must be very happy that you understand him."
He had to admit that he himself was moved by this analysis. Loving one's country and thinking of its well-being is only natural.
But the next second, Dr. Zhang regretted being moved.
Because without any warning, Boss Wang jumped straight to the next topic: "So, Zhang Bo, when are we going to meet at the 12-inch chip factory?"
Zhang Rujing, who was quite old, almost jumped up when he heard this.
So what's going on? Is there any logical connection between these topics? How did it suddenly jump from "because" to "so" and then to a 12-inch chip factory?
He refused without hesitation: "It's really impossible. You know the Wassenaar Arrangement; the control and lockdown are very strict."
Wang Xiao asked earnestly, "How can this be done?"
Zhang Rujing was extremely frustrated: "There's no way to do it, it's really impossible."
Why did he go to lunch with her at the restaurant? He was practically walking into a trap.
Even after finally escaping into the restaurant, food still couldn't shut Mr. Wang up.
She simply asked Jiang Shangzhou, "Have you finished your medical check-up?"
Let's get straight to the point: "Tell me, how can we build a 12-inch chip factory in Shanghai?"
Jiang Shangzhou and Chuanxi Gang at the dinner table were both taken aback.
To put it simply, although there are about 15 12-inch chip factories that have been officially announced globally so far, none of them have achieved mass production. They are either in the planning and construction stage or preparing for trial production.
Even though Jiang Shangzhou is widely recognized as a radical figure among domestic semiconductor officials, his expectation is to build ten eight-inch chip factories in China, and he has never even considered the direction of 12-inch chips.
But if an entrepreneur wants to invest in building a 12-inch chip factory in Shanghai, how could Deputy Director Jiang, as a local official, possibly refuse?
The problem is, he doesn't know how to complete this magnificent project either.
When it comes to building factories, Dr. Zhang Rujing is the expert.
Unfortunately, Dr. Zhang doesn't seem to want to talk right now.
On the contrary, Chuanxi Gang gave Wang Xiao face and took the initiative to ask, "Why do you want to build a 12-inch chip factory?"
To be on the safe side, it would be more pragmatic to try to build an eight-inch chip factory.
Wang Xiao blurted out, "Engineers with advanced technology should of course work in advanced factories. Otherwise, how can they be worthy of coming all this way?"
This left Kawanishi Tsuyoshi unable to directly refuse.
Boss Wang pressed his advantage: "So now you have to tell me how to build this factory?"
As for money, she doesn't need to say it; everyone present knows. Thanks to the booming internet economy, she now belongs to the wealthiest group.
Moreover, Jiang Shangzhou immediately stated: "There is no need to worry about the land issue. Shanghai will approve land according to the standard of 169 yuan per square meter, and there will also be preferential tax policies."
Before coming, he specifically consulted with the city leaders, and the mayor personally made the decision: since things had come to this point, they must seize the benefits of the Hong Kong Microelectronics Center.
This land price is practically a freebie.
Jiang Shangzhou further emphasized: "If there is a need, the government can also help coordinate loans."
Well, this is what they call giving money, land, and policies—it's certainly quite a favorable deal.
Then the pressure will be passed on to the next step.
The biggest limitations in building a chip factory in Shanghai are technology and equipment and materials.
Needless to say, Dr. Zhang was definitely in charge of the technology for building the factory.
But when it comes to equipment and materials, a problem arises: how to obtain key equipment and materials for chip factories under the Wassenaar Arrangement?
Without saying a word, Wang Xiao looked directly at Kawanishi Tsuyoshi and said, "Mr. Kawanishi, I'm afraid you'll have to put in a lot of effort for this matter."
Due to US restrictions and its own unique characteristics, Japan has fallen behind in the chip manufacturing scale competition in recent years.
But it is precisely because of the setbacks in chip manufacturing that Japanese semiconductor companies have had to maximize their advantages in other areas.
Among them, thanks to their long-standing advantages in materials science and precision manufacturing, Japanese companies are unparalleled in terms of top-tier materials and equipment needed to manufacture chips.
Shin-Etsu Chemical and SUMCO silicon wafers, JSR and Tokyo Ohka Kogyo photoresists, Nikon and Canon lithography machines, Tokyo Electron etching machines, and Advantest testing equipment are all renowned.
Since it's no longer possible to import key equipment and materials from the United States, could we start with Japan?
Chuanxi frowned slightly, not because he was dissatisfied with Boss Wang's excessive ambition, but because he was worried that the matter would be too difficult.
From his perspective, he personally hopes that this 12-inch chip factory can be successfully established in Shanghai, and that it can be built with Japanese technical support.
Why?
Firstly, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Japan's semiconductor industry has been steadily declining under pressure from the United States and the pursuit of South Korea.
Therefore, the rise of the semiconductor industry in both Taiwan and mainland China directly impacts South Korea, not Japan.
To date, many chip manufacturers in Taiwan and mainland China have been able to establish and operate by relying on technology licenses from Japan.
If Shanghai were to build a world-class 12-inch chip factory, it would essentially be advertising for the Japanese semiconductor industry.
See, without the support of Europe and the United States, we can acquire all the equipment, materials and technologies needed for a 12-inch chip factory simply by relying on Japan's help.
If you want to build a 12-inch chip factory in the future, just contact us.
Secondly, with this 12-inch chip factory, Japanese engineers can work in a first-class technical environment.
As we all know, the higher the platform you are on, the more training you receive and the more advanced your skills become.
Otherwise, if you keep going in circles at a low level, even if you survive, over time your skills will not only fail to improve, but will actually regress.
That's why doctors want to perform high-level surgeries—because that's how they can continuously improve their skills.
Only those who possess advanced technologies will not be eliminated by the times.
Even if Kawanishi were willing to facilitate this, building this 12-inch chip factory would be extremely difficult.
In addition to the restrictions of the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) also has regulations on exported equipment.
The sheer number of rules and regulations could strangle a factory that hasn't even been built yet.
Wang Xiao said slowly, "We are making a final push to improve the yield of our 0.18-micron process. We are also about to start large-scale testing of the 0.13-micron process. We hope to start using the 0.13-micron process as soon as the factory is completed."
Kawanishi Gao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. In this way, he wouldn't have to worry about the big problem of process technology.
A 12-inch chip fab can produce chips with a process of 0.18 micrometers or 0.13 micrometers.
For large manufacturers, the former is a mature technology that has already achieved large-scale mass production.
But the latter is a tough nut to crack for the entire world.
For example, TSMC only developed a 6T static random access memory using a 0.13-micron process last month, and it still has a long way to go before mass production.
For example, Intel announced in June the launch of a 300mm chip development plan related to the 0.13-micron process, stating that it planned to start mass production of the process based on 200mm wafers around 2001.
IBM also developed a 0.13-micron copper process technology solution in 1997, but it took a lot of effort to get the technology solution into the factory and achieve large-scale mass production.
So Chuanxi didn't make any boastful claims, but instead took a step back: "If it's convenient, I'd like to invite a few friends to visit your factory."
Fujitsu in Japan began mass production of its 0.18-micron process in October of this year, while Hitachi started taking orders as early as June of last year.
It's obviously much simpler to poach their engineers to guide factories in mainland China to improve yield rates than to try and obtain technology licenses.
Wang Xiao smiled broadly and nodded to Chuanxi Gang: "Then I'll have to trouble you to take care of it, Mr. Chuanxi."
But once he gave it to someone, was everything settled? No way.
If Boss Wang were so easy to talk to, Dr. Zhang wouldn't have such a headache just looking at her.
She wouldn't stop while she was ahead; she would press on relentlessly: "Then, I'll need your help with the equipment and materials as well, sir."
Kawanishi Gang also wanted to massage his temples, but this was a huge project involving too many equipment and materials.
So he cautiously began, "I need to carefully plan how this project should proceed."
Fortunately, building a chip factory is not like building a commercial building. The latter can be erected in three months, while the former, no matter how fast, will take 18 to 24 months.
This gave Chuanxi Gang time and space to operate.
He is currently contacting Japanese manufacturers to donate equipment to the Hong Kong Microelectronics Centre.
On the one hand, manufacturers can increase their influence in the Hong Kong Microelectronics Centre by generously donating their equipment. On the other hand, these devices also implicitly help the Microelectronics Centre's partner companies, especially those from mainland China, to establish technical standards.
In the future, these factories will proactively purchase equipment from familiar Japanese manufacturers, guided by this set of technical standards.
Therefore, none of the manufacturers he contacted refused outright; instead, they were enthusiastic and actively engaged with him.
Chuanxi was just thinking of taking this opportunity to get the job of purchasing equipment and materials for the Shanghai factory done as well.
However, it is obvious that this task is quite difficult.
The Hong Kong Microelectronics Centre is a research and development institution with relatively fewer restrictions. Shanghai, on the other hand, is a legitimate chip manufacturing plant.
Chuanxi Gang involuntarily fell into deep thought, eating only bites here and there.
Wang Xiao was much more carefree than him, or rather, bosses are generally carefree. She passed the problem on to Chuanxi Gang; what was there for her to worry about?
She happily drank a small bowl of plain porridge, and then ate roast goose with great joy.
Could she tell me? Actually, she returned to the hotel late at night, and by the time she finished eating in the morning, she was already feeling hungry. But she was so sleepy, and the blankets were too alluring, so she ignored her stomach's needs and continued to sleep soundly.
Now that her conscience has been awakened, she naturally wants to soothe her stomach, since this is the food she'll be eating with for the rest of her life.
After finishing a plate of roast goose with rice and wiping his greasy mouth, Mr. Wang seemed to remember something and comforted the listless Kawanishi Tsuyoshi: "Mr. Kawanishi, not all difficulties need to be solved right now. I hope you can break it down, separating what we can buy now from what we can't, and then we can work together to see if we can find a way to circumvent the insurmountable obstacles. If Japanese manufacturers really can't export, is there any hope in Europe?"
Kawanishi Tsuyoshi remained serious and nodded: "I will come up with a solution as soon as possible."
Since stepping down as Toshiba's vice president, his role has become increasingly similar to that of an international broker. Whether as a multinational industry consultant or a corporate director, his core work has been to connect the global semiconductor industry, facilitating technological exchanges and promoting talent mobility and corporate cooperation.
If World University is not acquired by TSMC and he focuses on being the chairman, then he might be able to relive a period similar to his time as vice president of Toshiba.
But Worldwide is already in TSMC's hands, so his chances of becoming chairman are gone. He can only focus on the international brokerage business.
Therefore, if a deep collaboration can be facilitated between Japanese semiconductor equipment and material suppliers and Wuzhou 12-inch chip manufacturers, it would be equivalent to adding a remarkable achievement to his resume.
Both for his own sake and for his own personal reasons, he wanted to do a good job on this project.
Mr. Kawanishi has been busy ever since he took on this task.
He was either constantly making phone calls and sending faxes, busy in front of the computer, or holding a pen, drawing line after line on lines of text and numbers.
When Ichiro Ishida called back from Sendai, Japan, he excitedly reported to his former and new superior, Mr. Masuoka, that Mr. Masuoka had agreed to make him a senior consultant at the Hong Kong Microelectronics Centre. He also arranged for his prized student to be stationed there permanently, and he himself would come once a month to hold meetings with the team, assign tasks, and review the results.
Kawanishi Tsuyoshi's only reaction was to say "Oh," and then he said, "Masuoka will definitely be very happy with the decision made today."
Since leaving his main position at Toshiba, he has been traveling all over the world. The longer and more he travels, the more he feels that Japan's semiconductor industry should open its arms and embrace the world.
Japan's major semiconductor manufacturers are so much like independent little worlds, closing their doors and working diligently on their own, vertically integrated.
As a result, Hitachi and NEC's factories were incompatible, and even a merger couldn't turn them into a single force, so how could they possibly work together?
Only by embracing the world and standardizing everything can we assemble and integrate at any time to maximize our effectiveness.
Ichiro Ishida thought he would talk on and on, or press Masuoka about his reaction after reading the letter.
As a result, Kawanishi stopped talking right after saying that. He didn't even care when Masuoka would come to Hong Kong or what kind of technical team and laboratory support he would need.
He knew that Mr. Tang would solve these problems, so he didn't need to worry about them.
What he should be worrying about now is the 12-inch chip factory.
After spending a few days in Hong Kong, he flew back to Japan.
Wang Xiao couldn't help but touch his nose and ask his assistant and bodyguard, "Did I push Mr. Chuanxi too hard? Actually, I don't think I said anything."
Everyone glanced at the boss silently.
You didn't say anything, you just kept staring at people and asking them questions.
Lyuba, ever considerate, found a reason to comfort her: "Tomorrow is New Year's Day. Japan attaches great importance to New Year's Day. Mr. Kawanishi is just going back to celebrate. Look, Director Jiang has returned to Shanghai, and Dr. Zhang has returned to Taiwan."
Wang Xiao scratched his head, then suddenly realized: "So today is New Year's Eve?"
She hadn't really noticed that.
It's normal for Deputy Director Jiang to return to Shanghai. He came to Hong Kong to discuss cooperation with the Microelectronics Centre. After that, he definitely needs to go back to handle the land issue for the chip factory.
As for Dr. Zhang, the acquisition process of World University is not yet complete. He is still the general manager of World University. It is only natural for him to go back to finish up his work in Taiwan.
Wang Xiao touched his nose again, muttering to himself, "I forgot all about it. Oh well, it's too late now."
What's too late?
Xiao Gao wanted to remind her boss that although it takes ten hours to fly from Hong Kong to Moscow, due to the time difference, if she booked the earliest flight now, she could still make it back to Moscow that night and spend New Year's Eve there.
But just as he was about to speak, Lyuba glanced at him, and he obediently shut his mouth.
Wang Xiao muttered to herself again, "Looks like I'll have to spend New Year's Eve in Hong Kong."
The assistant was quick-witted and immediately responded enthusiastically: "Hong Kong is very lively today. There's a dragon lantern festival in Happy Valley to celebrate the millennium, co-organized by the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. We've sent you an invitation, and the Chief Executive will also be attending. There will also be celebrity performances."
He didn't say it before because everyone assumed she would go to Moscow for New Year's Eve.
Now that the boss doesn't bring it up, everyone naturally pretends it never happened.
Wang Xiao said excitedly, "Let me see! Wow, there are quite a few activities. Let's go watch the fun together tonight!"
Everyone laughed and joked, taking the opportunity to flatter him: "Then we're benefiting from the boss's success!"
That's right, the boss needs to rest. She's been working so hard for so many days, it doesn't seem very humane for her to have to take a ten-hour flight.
People are all subject to the authority of their employers; everyone unanimously forgot about Moscow and enthusiastically discussed today's excitement.
In addition to the Dragon Lights celebrating the millennium in Happy Valley, the entire city of Hong Kong will be ablaze with lights tonight.
At midnight, more than 300 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour will light up simultaneously, creating a dazzling light show for the new century.
Churches and temples throughout Hong Kong, including Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, will ring their bells and drums in unison. Ferries and vehicles will also be permitted by the Hong Kong government to sound their horns for three minutes in a grand display of sound and light to welcome the new century.
Who says rituals aren't important?
Everyone needs such a grand ceremony to leave all the bad things behind in the old era and embrace the excitement and beauty of the new century.
After lunch, everyone couldn't wait to set off.
Start from the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and stroll along the waterfront promenade towards Central.
Major buildings along both sides of Victoria Harbour, including the north shore of Hong Kong Island, Kwai Tsing in the New Territories, and Kwun Tong in Kowloon, have been adorned with flashing lights to welcome the new millennium.
The workers are busy with final adjustments.
Wang Xiao snapped a few photos, reminiscing once again about the good old days of taking photos with her phone and traveling with a drone, and then forgave herself for her shameless exploitation of Zhang Rujing and Chuanxi Gang.
See, she wasn't just doing it for herself, but for a better future for humanity.
Mr. Wang felt his morality had been elevated again, and happily went to Causeway Bay Plaza for dinner. This was one of the officially designated locations for the celebration's live broadcast, and a large crowd had already gathered, strolling around while waiting for the broadcast to begin.
Boss Wang was even happier because she had an invitation, so she could go directly to the event.
The event started at 7 o'clock, so they ate a quick breakfast and dinner and then hurried off to the venue to avoid the inconvenience of getting in when there were too many people.
Winter nights fall early. By the time Wang Xiao was waiting to have his ticket checked, the sun had already set, and twilight was falling.
Suddenly, she heard a strange-sounding English voice: "Beautiful lady, what a coincidence! We are truly destined to meet."
Boss Wang was instantly displeased. Good heavens, if it were still that guy with the gold-rimmed glasses, she really would have punched him right then and there.
When will this ever end?
Where's Xiao Gao? Where's Xiao Zhao? How come all sorts of scoundrels can get close to her?
She's going to yell at them and deduct their year-end bonuses!
Mr. Wang clenched his fist and turned around, only to see a masked face. The man opposite him wore a mask, with high eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and eyes that shone like stars with a smile. He repeated in Chinese, "Those destined to meet will meet even if they are thousands of miles apart."
I don't know how long I practiced.
Wang Xiao was dumbfounded, staring at him in disbelief, gasping for breath, almost putting her hands on her hips: "Why are you here?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she instinctively looked around.
Good heavens, whether he even knows he's come all the way from Moscow to Hong Kong is no small matter.
Ivan froze, instantly looking like a child who had done something wrong, at a loss for words: "I... I shouldn't have come to Hong Kong?"
He knew that Wang had been busy pushing forward the Hong Kong Microelectronics Centre project during this time.
The center's potential success stems from its completely neutral research and development stance.
His presence in Hong Kong as Russia's Deputy Prime Minister may be over-interpreted.
Good heavens! If microelectronic devices fail as a result, or if form outweighs substance, the king will be furious.
Ivan instinctively wanted to retreat: "Then, then I'll go back. You didn't see me today."
Wang Xiao hooked her arm around his neck and kissed him: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
She really didn't plan to go to Moscow for New Year's Eve. Sometimes, she needs solitude amidst the hustle and bustle; it's a kind of solitary enjoyment.
But seeing him at this moment, seeing him travel-worn from afar, she felt that the lively and warm embrace was quite nice.
Ivan still sounded aggrieved: "I didn't mean to scare you. I was just afraid I'd have other work commitments and wouldn't be able to get away. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble."
God, he also knew that his sudden arrival in Hong Kong would be a problem for the Hong Kong government, because they would have to handle security.
But today is New Year's Eve, the eve of welcoming the new millennium, and he wants to be with the king.
Wang needs to work and doesn't have time to travel between the two places, so he can come over.
Wang Xiao said indifferently, "Why should we care about them? We don't need to worry about them."
Ivan then worried, "Won't that affect the microelectronics center?"
Boss Wang remained indifferent: "Let it be, don't worry about it."
No matter how bad things get, there's always a way to solve them.
At this moment, she is happy, and that's enough.
The rest are unimportant.
————————!!————————
[Starry-eyed] The 1990s are over.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
