Three Chinese semiconductor equipment companies rank among the top 20 globally

In 2025, three Chinese companies ranked among the top 20 global semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturers, three times the number in 2022. Some believe that China has increased the domestic production rate of semiconductor equipment from a weak point to 20%–30%. Although U.S. restrictions on exports of equipment to China prevent the development and production of cutting-edge semiconductors, China has begun building an independent supply chain. Despite still having a technological gap, if this trend continues, it could pose a threat to Japan and the U.S.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Japanese version: Nikkei Chinese Web) analyzed sales of semiconductor-related equipment summarized by Japanese research firm GlobalNet, comparing 2022 and 2025 (projected) before the full implementation of export controls on advanced semiconductor equipment to China.

North Huachuang Technology Group (NAURA) rose to fifth place, approaching the top four global firms: ASML Holding of the Netherlands, Applied Materials of the U.S., Lam Research of the U.S., and Tokyo Electron. Founded in 2001, the company is involved in a wide range of manufacturing equipment, including etching and film deposition for circuit cutting. Its sales in 2025 increased by 21% year-over-year.

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The Nihon Keizai Shimbun and the Financial Times merged in November 2015 to form a single media group. This alliance, formed by two newspapers founded in the 19th century in Japan and the UK, is promoting extensive collaboration in areas such as special features under the banner of “high-quality, most powerful economic news.” As part of this initiative, articles are exchanged between the two newspapers’ Chinese websites.