Chapter 1634: Putting Another Weight on the Scale
Bian Lizhen frowned slightly and looked at Chang Haonan with a hint of worry:
"Academician Chang, this antitrust investigation by the United States has caused such a big stir. Will it...have an impact on our domestic semiconductor industry? Especially the chip supply?"
He was not aware of Chang Haonan's breakthrough in the field of lithography, but was worried that this change might affect the supply of aviation products.
For example, the "Zou Yu" prototype used a 28nm chip that far exceeds conventional military processes in order to achieve sufficiently powerful control capabilities.
The next generation of early warning aircraft developed by Gaofei has pushed processor performance to the forefront.
"As for the impact... there will definitely be some," Chang Haonan picked up the teacup and blew away the hot air, "but it depends on what kind of cards the Americans will play on December 12st."
He explained calmly:
"If the other side makes a lot of noise but does little, and only imposes symbolic, narrow restrictions, then the impact will be minimal or even nonexistent."
Bian Lizhen nodded but his expression did not relax, obviously waiting for the follow-up.
"But if they are determined to expand the scope of the crackdown and extend the ban, the impact will be more obvious."
However, Bian Lizhen misunderstood and his heart immediately rose. He subconsciously leaned forward to ask to what extent the impact would be.
But Chang Haonan didn't even give him a chance to speak:
“It’s just a positive impact.”
With just one sentence, he blocked the words that Bian Lizhen was about to say.
"Positive impact?" Xing Muchun and Bian Lizhen were both stunned, thinking they had heard wrongly.
Especially the latter, his face was full of disbelief.
Chang Haonan nodded and affirmed: "Yes, a positive impact."
He lowered his voice, but it was more convincing:
"By March next year at the latest, Huaxin International will be able to have stable foundry capabilities for 7-nanometer process chips... and the entire process, from design software, materials, lithography machines to back-end packaging, will be completely self-controlled."
He looked at the shocked expressions of the two and continued to explain:
"The biggest bottleneck we are facing now is no longer IC design or wafer production... or to put it more generally, it is not hardware performance at all, but the software ecosystem and talent at the application level."
"Even though our product performance indicators are not inferior to those of foreign countries, many customers, especially large customers with plenty of money, tend to choose more mature and more reliable foreign solutions."
Bian Lizhen suddenly realized and said, "This sounds very similar to the situation we encountered when we were working on supercomputers before?"
"It is very similar." Chang Haonan affirmed, "This problem has existed for more than ten years. From supercomputing to industrial software, and now to chips, the authorities have been trying to find ways to solve it."
He changed the subject, with a hint of helplessness:
"But at the commercial level... we are a market economy after all. It is impossible to forcibly issue an administrative order prohibiting the use of foreign products without any reason or background."
Bian Lizhen's eyes lit up, and he instantly understood what Chang Haonan meant by "positive impact":
“So… this sanction by the Americans has given us a perfect and legitimate opportunity to force domestic customers with demand to turn to domestic supply chains?”
"That's right." Chang Haonan nodded. "Moreover, we can also put the blame of 'undermining global market rules and imposing technological blockades' on the Americans... They may even have taken the initiative to do so. We were forced to fight back and follow the trend. It's simply... all benefits with no harm."
Hearing this, Xing Muchun, who had not interrupted much, suddenly spoke up: "Mr. Chang, if the United States really expands the scope of the ban...will your Torch Group and Torch Laboratory also be affected?"
Bian Lizhen was shocked again when he heard this and looked suddenly at Chang Haonan.
He never expected that this would actually involve Chang Haonan’s own core territory - the Torch Laboratory?
In fact, Chang Haonan had never revealed to Xing Muchun any progress made by the Torch Laboratory in semiconductors.
But the latter was sharp enough and had apparently caught something.
Chang Haonan met Xing Muchun's inquiring gaze and did not directly answer the question about the connection with the Chrysanthemum Factory. He just nodded calmly and affirmatively and admitted:
"It is highly likely that we will be affected."
The silence for a few seconds seemed a little stagnant in the well-heated office.
Bian Lizhen looked at the scene in front of him, and his shock was beyond words——
I seem to have overheard something extraordinary?
Torch Group, is it related to the current incident?
"But it doesn't matter. Torch Group does cooperate with many foreign institutions, but there is no place that cannot be separated from others."
Chang Haonan took a sip of tea and said nonchalantly:
"Moreover, judging from the current situation, apart from a few countries controlled by the Americans, most countries are still taking a wait-and-see attitude, so they may not really comply with any ban immediately..."
"What I am worried about now is that the other side will back off at the last minute and just impose a few symbolic bans on Ju Factory and Huaxing Technology. That would be very troublesome."
Xing Muchun frowned slightly, as if he was weighing the pros and cons: "Even so, as long as Juchang and Huaxing can hold on, and the subsequent domestic supply chain can hold up in the long run, we won't lose money."
He paused and added:
"As long as they can continue to supply the market stably in a quarter or even half a year, proving that sanctions are ineffective, market confidence will naturally return and the situation will eventually open up."
However, Chang Haonan waved his hand gently, denying this seemingly optimistic inference.
"They can use their global discourse power to launch a propaganda war... After the ban is implemented, even if we are still supplying products, they can promote content such as 'sanctions have achieved a decisive victory' and 'Chinese technology companies have suffered heavy losses'."
He pointed to the computer on the table in front of him:
"We have almost no effective counterattack capabilities in this regard... not to mention overseas, even in China, once the information cocoon is formed, a large number of investors, potential customers, and even decision-makers in some countries are likely to be misled by such carefully woven lies."
"If the noise is not loud enough, this false impression will be easily fabricated and spread."
Xing Muchun opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something.
He understood Chang Haonan's concerns, but always felt that more specific strategies were needed to deal with this invisible public opinion attack.
Just at this moment, there was a knock on the door, interrupting the conversation between the three people.
"Please come in." Chang Haonan replied.
The door was pushed open, and a technician wearing Shengfei Group work clothes walked in with a document in his hand.
"Academician Chang, this is the detailed weather forecast for the next week that the meteorological department just sent over, with an emphasis on the window period suitable for flying."
The technician placed the document on the desk in front of Chang Haonan, then turned and left, closing the door gently.
The office became quiet again.
Chang Haonan's eyes first fell on the thin weather report.
He immediately sat up straight, reached out for the report, and began to read it attentively.
Xing Muchun and Bian Lizhen also immediately looked at him with bated breath.
After more than ten seconds, Chang Haonan's gaze stopped on a line of text.
He picked up a pen and made a decisive stroke on a certain spot on the paper with the tip of the pen.
"God help me, we have just enough time!" Chang Haonan's voice was obviously excited, "We can put the last weight on this scale!"
As he spoke, he handed the report in his hand to Xing Muchun who was sitting across the sofa.
Xing Muchun took it immediately, and together with Bian Lizhen who had come over, he looked towards the area circled by Chang Haonan.
[12 month 30 day]
The following is the corresponding weather conditions for the day.
Few clouds; Temperature: -24°C~-12°C; Wind direction: Northeast wind. Wind force: Level 2-3; Visibility: Excellent…
……
Assessment: Very suitable for flight testing.
Xing Muchun's eyes were fixed on that date - December 12th.
There is only one day left until the December 12st deadline set by the United States!
He instantly understood what Chang Haonan meant by "the last weight".
