Intel CEO: China Is “Not That Far Behind” in Chips

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan told Nikkei Asia that China is not significantly behind the US in chip manufacturing capability, despite US sanctions restricting its access to EUV lithography machines.

The comment matters because it frames the competition as a question of manufacturing capability rather than a simple gap in tools. For anyone following the semiconductor industry, that distinction shapes how companies, policymakers and investors think about export controls and long-term supply chains.

Tan also addressed Intel's restructuring and its effort to build a foundry business comparable to TSMC, the world's largest contract chip manufacturer. He argued the foundry business can become a growth driver but stressed that patience is essential to get it right.

For engineers and professionals in hardware and chip design, the takeaway is that the manufacturing race is as much about process know-how and execution over time as it is about access to specific equipment. What do you think matters more in the long run?