Chapter 793 The key step to investing in ASML (4k)
December 1, Yanjing.
Zhang Zhongmou took Cai Lixing and others to the long-lost land of the mainland and faced the building of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
These days, under the efforts of TSMC and under repeated pressure from Intel and others, ASML finally compromised and reduced the investment quota of major shareholders to 4. In fact, there is only one. Between the Middle East consortium and Fuxin,
Just choose 1 out of 2.
"Mr. Zhang, it's time for us to go in."
Cai Lixing reminded him softly.
Zhang Zhongmou was led by the staff to the conference room. He saw the deputy minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the director of the Electronics Department and other leaders all present. They were smiling and accompanied by a man with an upright face. He had seen that face countless times.
all over.
Naturally, it’s Mr. Lu’s face.
"Look, it's coming, it's coming!"
The leaders laughed heartily and introduced each other to each other enthusiastically, just like matchmakers who bring men and women together.
"Mr. Zhang, we have been friends with each other for a long time, and we finally met today."
Lu Fei reached out his hand proactively.
Zhang Zhongmou shook his hand and said, "I have wanted to meet Mr. Lu for a long time. He has achieved such a big career at such a young age."
The two parties were smiling on the surface, looking like they were sorry they met so late, but they couldn't stop yelling in their hearts, MMP!
"Sit, everyone, sit down!"
The leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology acted as mediators, and while ordering tea, they said: "TSMC and Fuxin are both leaders in China's wafer foundry, and they are also important forces for China Semiconductor to gain a foothold in the world. Although before, due to a small friction
We have been unhappy, but I think since we are gathered here today, we must be shaking hands to make peace and strive for unity. Is this the same opinion on both sides of the table?"
As soon as these words came out, it set the tone for the entire negotiation——
Peace is the most precious thing!
"TSMC took the initiative to propose peace talks to us and is willing to come to the mainland. I think it must be sincere."
Lu Fei showed an intriguing smile.
Zhang Zhongmou didn't hide it either. He was a fox for thousands of years and he didn't want to play any nonsense. He nodded and said, "After we had a meeting to discuss the two conditions for reconciliation mentioned by Fu Xin, we decided to agree to them."
"oh?"
Lu Fei, Sun Hongjun and others looked at each other in surprise.
Various coping strategies were prepared, but never expected that TSMC would choose a seemingly weak but smart choice.
"We can publicly apologize to Liang Mengsong, restore his reputation, and even compensate him for the loss of reputation. We can also allocate two immersion lithography machines from TSMC's share next year to compensate Fuxin, but!"
Zhang Zhongmou was full of sincerity, but suddenly he was confused: "Let TSMC support Fuxin's investment in AMSL..."
"Is TSMC still unwilling?"
Sun Hongjun had a sullen face. Fuxin's investment in ASML was the core condition of the entire peace talks. If we couldn't reach an agreement on this one, it was just a hairy negotiation!
"No, of course TSMC is willing to help Fuxin invest in AMSL and obtain more advanced photolithography equipment, but the problem is that ASML's IPO has undergone major changes."
Cai Lixing said truthfully, "Has Mr. Lu not received news from ASML and the Middle East consortium?"
Not only do you know, but you also know that TSMC is responsible!
Lu Fei deliberately did not reveal anything, "I have indeed received similar news recently, but does this have anything to do with the conditions of the peace talks? What Fuxin wants is for TSMC to acquire AMSL's shares, which means that you will buy them on your behalf and then transfer them to us.
As for whether to invest in AMSL or not, and whether to compete with Middle Eastern consortiums for the final spot, what’s the point?”
"Uh, Mr. Lu, there are regulations in AMSL's IPO that our stocks have a limited sales period and we need to wait for three years."
Cai Lixing laughed wildly in his heart but looked helpless on the outside.
"AMSL's IPO did not include these before, so why are there suddenly so many investment restrictions?"
Lu Fei raised his eyebrows. These old gangsters have really gone to great lengths to prevent Fuxin from entering AMSL!
I can think of any trick!
Isn’t this the same as temporarily changing the test questions before the exam starts?
"If Mr. Lu wants to know, I'm afraid he has to ask ASML."
Cai Lixing couldn't help but feel proud, "Of course, if you are willing to wait for three years, we can accept it."
Sun Hongjun smiled coldly. Three years is not a long time or a short time, but there are too many unknown variables. TSMC is clearly a delaying tactic. Maybe within three years, Fuxin will appear on the sanctions list.
"Dear leaders, Mr. Lu, you think that rather than letting Fuxin do this and wait for three years, it would be better for both of us to take a step back."
Zhang Zhongmou suggested with a serious face.
"Mr. Zhang, do you have any good ideas?"
Lu Fei narrowed his eyes.
"According to the information we have, Intel has clearly sided with the Middle East consortium, and we at TSMC fully support Fuxin's investment in AMSL. In this case, it is one vote for one vote."
Zhang Zhongmou said in a serious tone: "Next, things will become clear. Whoever can win the support of Samsung will be able to take over AMSL."
"Haha, doesn't Mr. Zhang know the relationship between Samsung and logic now?" Lu Fei said angrily.
"Mr. Lu, I understand that Chairman Li Jianxi is a person who pays for one transaction and will never have any disputes affect another cooperation." Zhang Zhongmou said generously, "And I am willing to come forward to help in the name of TSMC."
Let’s lobby Samsung together.”
"The current leader of Samsung is Lee Jae-yong. I'm afraid it won't be that easy to convince him." Sun Hongjun shook his head and laughed.
“It’s not like Fuxin doesn’t have any bargaining chips!”
Cai Lixing reminded that Fuxin can definitely take advantage of Logic's lawsuits and orders. After all, the total compensation in the global lawsuits between Samsung and Logic has reached more than 2 billion U.S. dollars. Not for the sake of business, but for the sake of compensation reduction and exemption.
I will also agree.
After all, I don't believe Samsung would agree.
"TSMC's visit this time was not in vain. It not only reconciled itself, but also wanted to help Samsung persuade us to reconcile. Why, do you want to act as a lobbyist for Samsung?"
Lu Fei suppressed his smile and turned pale.
"No, how can we be lobbyists for Samsung?"
Cai Lixing denied it.
The negotiations gradually fell into a stalemate, and no one was willing to give in. Seeing that the situation was heading towards breakdown, the leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stepped forward in time to smooth things over and persuade both parties:
"We don't want to see internal strife, which will only hurt those close to us and make enemies happy, and it will make foreign foundries cheaper in vain. Let's do this, both sides will give in."
The director of the Electronics Department looked at him with a pleading look, "Mr. Lu, as the host, should Fuxin express our gratitude first?"
Lu Fei looked like he was taking care of his leader, and said reluctantly: "Okay, then I will take a step back. The conditions can be changed. The first is that I will not pursue Liang Mengsong's issue in the future."
Without waiting for Zhang Zhongmou to answer, the director of the Department of Electronics, Leng Buding, reminded him: "Now Dr. Liang is already a candidate for academician of the Academy of Engineering. Maybe it won't be long before he will be selected as an academician."
You are really spending a lot of money to recruit talents! Academician!
Zhang Zhongmou held a grudge and was jealous of Liang Mengsong.
But then I thought about it, if TSMC gave up the second-instance lawsuit, it would be difficult to target Liang Mengsong personally in the future.
"Can."
After receiving his instructions, Cai Lixing nodded.
"In addition, if Fuxin's investment in ASML fails, I will ask TSMC and persuade AMSL to jointly provide AMSL with a patented technology license for immersion lithography machines."
Lu Fei stretched out his second finger.
"You want to build a lithography machine? As far as I know, China Microelectronics has not yet developed a 65nm dry lithography machine, right?"
Zhang Zhongmou couldn't help but be surprised.
"Yes, we are still stuck at 90nm dry lithography machines, so we need AMSL. TSMC will provide the patented technology of lithography machines for Chinese companies to produce independently. Our original plan was to cooperate with Nikon and Canon."
Lu Fei evoked a faint smile.
The news that China Micro Semiconductor has developed a 65nm dry lithography machine has been kept secret. Just like who manufactured the Kirin 9000S chip for Huawei Mate60, a mysterious force quietly ensured that the news would not be leaked.
The leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, some of whom were unaware and others who were aware of it, quickly guessed Lu Fei's intentions and cast encouraging glances.
"We need to discuss this."
Zhang Zhongmou, Cai Lixing and others were talking quietly.
"What do you think?"
"Mr. Zhang, I think I can agree to them."
"Haha, aren't you afraid that they will actually build an immersion lithography machine, or even an EUV lithography machine?"
"How is that possible? You also know how difficult it is to build a lithography machine. Even if you give them a complete set of drawings, they will not be able to manufacture a lithography machine independently, let alone an EUV lithography machine. It is simply impossible.
wishful thinking!"
"What you said makes sense."
Zhang Zhongmou was very aware of the difficulty of manufacturing photolithography machines, so he did not refuse Lu Fei's conditions.
You must know that the most advanced EUV lithography machine includes more than 100,000 parts, 40,000 bolts, 3,000 line hoses, a total length of more than two kilometers, and the equipment weighs 180 tons.
The test machine given to Samsung alone required 40 containers, 20 trucks and three cargo planes, and the debugging time alone was as long as one year.
Among these 100,000 parts, some special parts are very complex, such as ultraviolet light sources and optical lenses. Chase provides production lenses, various reflectors and other optical components. Currently, no company in the world can imitate them.
The optical lens was stuck, and it was impossible to build a mass-produced photolithography machine in China. From the bottom of his heart, he did not believe that China could produce a photolithography machine on its own without relying on foreign help.
"Yes, but we can't guarantee 100% whether we can convince ASML." Cai Lixing nodded again.
"Also, we also hope to invite Dr. Lin Benjian from your company to come to the mainland to assist in the research and development project of photolithography machines."
Lu Fei knocked on the table.
Zhang Zhongmou immediately cheered up and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Lu, Dr. Lin Benjian has retired from TSMC a long time ago. We can't do it for him. Whether he can come back depends on his own wishes."
Lu Fei did not force it, and instead asked TSMC to help Fuxin connect with Lin Benjian and persuade them to handle the work!
Of course Zhang Zhongmou is unwilling to let Lin Benjian, the father of the immersion lithography machine, come out. Then he is not like Liang Mengsong who is endangering the enemy!
Don’t give Continental Semiconductor any chance to take the lead!
As long as all technical bottlenecks can be controlled!
"These are the only conditions I want. It's not too much, right?"
Lu Fei looked left and right.
"We don't have any problems here, but we still have to discuss it with the company, which may require a resolution from the board of directors."
Zhang Zhongmou took a sip of water.
The leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology looked at Lu Fei and nodded when they saw that he had no objection: "We still have to go through the procedures that should be followed. We should be able to give an accurate answer before the 24th, right?"
After receiving a positive answer, both parties shook hands and made peace, then Lu Fei watched Zhang Zhongmou and others leave first.
The director of the Electronics Department was puzzled, "You want not only Lin Benjian, but also AMSL and TSMC to provide the technology patents for the lithography machine. Should Fuxin invest in AMSL, or independently develop the lithography machine?"
"Why can't we have both at the same time?"
A smile appeared on Lu Fei's lips.
"Hey, you want them all?"
The leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology were more or less surprised. They didn't expect Lu Fei's ambition and greed to be so great!
"My father has it and my mother has it. It's better to have it ourselves. We must have our own domestically produced lithography machine. If we can get the important technical information and patents of the immersion lithography machine, we can't guarantee the length of research and development of Zhongwei Semiconductor."
We can produce 45nm or even 28nm immersion lithography machines, our own lithography machines, in advance, maybe three years, maybe five years!"
Lu Fei clenched his fists tightly.
This voice aroused the emotions of the leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and they were all excited. The deputy minister smiled and said:
"You, you, always come up with a new trick for us!"
"The reason why TSMC agreed to provide technical materials so easily is very clear to me. It's because we don't think we have the ability!" Lu Fei said with a straight face, "Then he is totally wrong. We just have the talent and the funds.
Determined!"
"Okay! Listen and cheer up!"
The deputy minister showed a satisfied smile and told him to go to the Electronics Department if he had any difficulties. If the Electronics Department couldn't solve the problem, go to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. If the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology couldn't solve it, then report it to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. After all -
To build a lithography machine, it is not enough for one company alone!
What is needed is the entire industrial chain! 100,000 domestic parts!
"So you didn't want to invest in ASML in the first place, right? It was just for the technical information of the lithography machine?"
The director of the Electronics Department suddenly realized.
Lu Fei nodded, "You can say that."
The Director of the Electronics Department does not feel regretful, "In fact, it is not bad to invest in AMSL, but it is a pity that it is cheaper than the Middle East consortium."
Lu Fei and Sun Hongjun looked at each other and smiled.
Regardless of the Middle East consortium or Fuxin, they are all our own!
Originally, Fuxin invested in AMSL in order to force Samsung and TSMC to prevent Fuxin from wooing Middle Eastern consortiums.
In fact, even if Fuxin successfully acquires a stake in AMSL, ASML’s lithography equipment may not be able to be shipped to mainland China.
The United States and the European Union can block ports and sales licenses, and some have methods to prevent complex cores from getting lithography machines.
Only the wafer foundry base in Singapore with the Middle East consortium is the most reliable and advanced foundry for complex cores.
"Old Sun, the rest is up to you. Remember to play it safe and don't let TSMC or Samsung see the flaws."
Lu Fei patted Sun Hongjun on the shoulder.
Leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology all cast curious glances.
What kind of play?
Naturally, this is a drama to win over Samsung!
Thanks to Princess Sissi for the 500 starting coins.
