I can become stronger by paying salaries. I have one billion employees!

Chapter 693 Chen Yansen, you damn beast! The stronger you are, the lower your morality and the less credibility you have!

4:30 p.m. on September 18, Shanghai International Convention Center.

Inside the meeting room, the air was so heavy it felt like water could be squeezed out with a twist.

At one side of the long table, Chen Yansen sat at the head of the table, with Liang Jinsong sitting right next to him. To his right were representatives from HiSilicon, Tsinghua Unigroup, Huahong, and Shanghai Microelectronics.

On the other side sat ASML Chairman Peter, Qualcomm CEO Paul, Intel CEO Brian, and several representatives from equipment giants in Europe, North America, and Japan.

Representatives from Sansung, TSMC, SK Hynix, and Huaxin International attended as observers, remaining silent throughout the session and observing the expressions of everyone in the room, afraid of missing any details.

"What are your thoughts, Mr. Chen?"

The president of the US Semiconductor Industry Association, Neuton, spoke slowly, his tone tinged with a tentative undertone.

"In a fully competitive market, what special ideas could I possibly have? It's all about survival of the fittest!"

Chen Yansen leaned back slightly and said nonchalantly.

If you have a gun and don't use it, aren't you an idiot?

He understood what Neuton meant; he simply wanted StarSource Technology to slow down its technology output and even open up the core patents of the Dawn A220, and to cross-license patents with ASML, so as to buy more breathing time for European and American companies in the lithography machine industry chain.

But how could Chen Yansen possibly do as he wished?
Xingyuan Technology has come this far not through compromise, but through steady technological breakthroughs. Now that it holds core technologies, there is no reason for it to be controlled by others.

Neuton was taken aback by Chen Yansen's neither-soft-nor-hard words, and his smile faltered.

He glanced at the representatives from JSR, META, and AMAT beside him, his meaning clear: This kid isn't giving me any face, you guys go for it!
After all, you can't make chips with just an EUV lithography machine; the supporting oxidation furnace, plasma etching machine, ion implanter, photoresist, and developer are equally important.

If everyone really breaks off relations and refuses to sell the necessary equipment and consumables for the production line to Xingyuan Technology.

At that time, StarSource Technology will be unable to produce chips with more advanced manufacturing processes.

According to Neuton, the International Semiconductor Association is not without ways to control Chen Yansen.

At this moment, JSR Corporation Chairman Tanaka Nakahiro exchanged glances with the people next to him, and then took the initiative to step in to smooth things over: "Mr. Chen, I admit that Star Source Technology has world-leading technology in the field of EUV lithography machines, but you should know that the technology stack of the semiconductor industry is extremely complex and has never been mastered by a single country or region alone."

Take lithography machines, for example. If StarSource Technology were to develop them from scratch, how long would it take? By the time you've formulated a suitable photoresist, ASML might have already launched a new generation of EUV lithography machines. In business, ultimately, cooperation is the only way to achieve a win-win situation!

Although his tone was gentle and polite, there was a hint of threat in his words.

The implication is clear: if you refuse to cooperate, we will join forces to cut off the supply, preventing Xingyuan Technology from purchasing equipment for etching, ion implantation, wafer dicing, and packaging.

Even if StarSource Technology has strong R&D capabilities, can it really master all the technologies in the entire semiconductor industry chain?
Obviously, this is impossible.

Tian Zhonghao's posture gave off an air of "If we all rush in, Xingyuan Technology will be either dead or crippled."

Peter from ASML understood, cleared his throat, and immediately added, "President Chen, while full competition is certainly the driving force for industry development, the global semiconductor supply chain is already fragile. If Star Source Technology blindly pursues rapid expansion, it may exacerbate industry turmoil."

"Are you afraid?"

Chen Yansen summarized succinctly.

He paused and then said, "As far as I know, ASML's NXE series EUV lithography machines only have a wafer processing efficiency of 20 wafers per hour. How many companies do you think would be willing to pay for that?"

The Dawn A220's production efficiency is 12 times that of the NXE 3300B. Given that disparity, why should I negotiate with you? Are you even qualified?

These words directly exposed Peter's facade of strength masking his inner weakness, causing his face to flush red instantly.

"Holy crap! Chen Yansen's words are so bold!"

Liu Xunfeng of Huaxin International almost burst out laughing.

He had dealt with Peter before, but in the past, the other party always had a superior attitude. Even though he was the buyer and the financier, he had to be as careful as a grandson and watch the other party's expression.

But then he thought about it again and couldn't help but pull Chen Yansen aside to persuade him: Mr. Chen, you're being too impulsive!
If the International Semiconductor Association is determined to block StarSource Technology, where will they buy equipment and raw materials?
However, after being berated, Peter opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Of all the people present, he was the least confident.

Everyone else had the opportunity to establish a cooperative relationship with Xingyuan Technology, but he was the only one who couldn't.

Simply because ASML and StarSource Technology are the most direct competitors!
Chen Yansen looked around, exuding a solemn aura. A slight smile appeared on his lips, with a hint of disdain in it.

His reason for attending this high-level exchange meeting was naturally to truly integrate into the international semiconductor industry as an equipment supplier.

But what he wanted was not to "make do" with the admission process, but to be "invited" in and "carried" in!
Tian Zhonghao's face turned cold, and he asked with a sneer, "Mr. Chen, don't be so absolute. The entire semiconductor industry chain is interconnected. Even if Xingyuan Technology can manufacture lithography machines, without etching machines, ion implanters, photoresist, and developers, can it really manufacture chips out of thin air? If all of us companies were to unite, how long do you think Xingyuan Technology's production lines could continue to operate normally?"

These words made the atmosphere in the meeting room even more tense.

A representative from a European equipment manufacturer nodded slightly, and the head of another consumables company also showed an expression of agreement.

They all knew that cutting off the supply would be a fatal blow to Xingyuan Technology.

Peter also recovered his senses, and a hint of smugness returned to his face: "President Chen, Mr. Tian Zhonghao is right."

Cooperation is the only way out. As long as Xingyuan Technology and ASML reach a cross-licensing agreement, we can guarantee that the association will not take any restrictive measures against Xingyuan Technology, and can also introduce you to more high-quality equipment suppliers.

Chen Yansen watched them sing and sing, and suddenly laughed. Then he said slowly and deliberately, "Xingyuan Technology can perfectly replace ASML's position and ecological value in the semiconductor industry. From a personal point of view, I am very willing to cooperate with upstream and downstream equipment manufacturers and material suppliers. We can all make money together."

Of course, if you think StarSource Technology can't handle the supporting equipment for the front-end and back-end processes, as well as key materials like photoresist and developers, you're welcome to give it a try. Besides, I can sell lithography machines with 40nm to 14nm processes to countries all over the world by 2015. If you don't want me to make money, then nobody should try to make money!

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the room looked at each other in bewilderment.

They understood the deeper meaning behind Chen Yansen's words: if Xingyuan Technology wanted to take its place, it only needed to sacrifice the interests of ASML to protect the interests of most other companies.

Is it worth it?
It's definitely a good deal!

Peter panicked upon hearing this.

He thought for a moment and immediately said, "Given the way Chinese companies operate, they only know how to wage price wars, which results in no profit for the entire industry chain."

"I would like to ask you all, has StarSource Technology ever used a low-price strategy in chip manufacturing and lithography machine sales?"

Chen Yansen asked with a smile.

"It seems... there really isn't one," Intel CEO Brian Mitchell muttered under his breath.

In fact, when Senlian Capital's subsidiaries conduct overseas business, they rarely use price wars as a competitive tactic. Instead, they typically compete with local companies by optimizing the user experience for both buyers and sellers.

Benign and orderly!
In an instant, the mindset of overseas semiconductor company representatives changed.

First of all, it is an indisputable fact that StarSource Technology has launched the Dawn A220 EUV lithography machine, and it is also a fact that its performance is more advanced than that of the NXE 3300B lithography machine.

Secondly, Chen Yansen is prone to making rash decisions and constantly calls for selling lithography machines to more competing companies. If lithography machines are easily available, it will only lead to the creation of more fab factories. Once these new factories are in operation, they will in turn erode the existing interests of European and American semiconductor companies.

"I think Mr. Chen's suggestion is very reasonable."

GlobalFoundries CEO Sanjay added as appropriate.

Fake!

So, it's not GlobalFoundries that's suffering losses, is it?
Peter spat inwardly and glared fiercely at Sanjay.

Paul from Qualcomm remained silent throughout. He had initially intended to voice his opposition, but upon hearing Chen Yansen's statement about selling lithography machines worldwide, he panicked.

Having a lithography machine doesn't mean you can immediately have the corresponding chip production capability, but an advanced lithography machine is like a seed that can take root and sprout. As long as it exists, it has the potential to cultivate more and more fab factories.

By then, who will Qualcomm, Intel, and Broadcom sell their chips to?
Chen Yansen, you fucking beast!
Paul cursed inwardly.

"Is Mr. Chen willing to give up tens of billions of yuan in annual profits?"

Neuton interjected, asking incredulously.

"I told you, you can give it a try."

Chen Yansen shrugged and replied casually.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the room plummeted to freezing point, and both sides resorted to threats.

Representatives from JSR, META, SK Hynix, and AMAT exchanged knowing glances.

They are suppliers of materials and equipment; the more developed the semiconductor industry, the more orders they receive and the higher their revenue.

Sacrificing one Asma would have no impact on them.

"I have no objection," Tian Zhonghao cleared his throat and said, bowing his head.

"The European and American markets are free and should accept Xingyuan Technology."

Another company representative spoke up.

You guys are fucking idiots!

Peter stared coldly at the group with a dark expression.

In the blink of an eye, these people had sold everything they wanted.

Where do friends in the capital circle come from?
In Tian Zhonghao's eyes, it would be Peter's honor to sell ASML for a good price.

However, the remaining group still harbored hostility towards Xingyuan Technology.

Because they all held a certain amount of ASML stock, and StarSource Technology did not provide them with sufficient benefits, after a moment of thought, people began to object.

"I can assure you that StarSource Technology only deals with the high-end chip market."

Seeing this, Chen Yansen threw out a second bone.

Whether these people believe it or not, he doesn't care.

After all, Mr. Chen's creditworthiness and moral standards are tied to his strength; the higher his strength, the lower his moral standards!

After speaking, Chen Yansen smiled gently and waited patiently for their reply.

(End of this chapter)