SMIC affiliate Ningbo Semiconductor International deals with boardroom battle-turned-criminal investigation after founder was ousted

Ningbo Semiconductor founder Herb Huang He and the company’s ex-financial chief face criminal charges that include embezzlement and bribery

The company’s general manager, Le Zhiping, took over the reins of the company after Huang was ousted as chairman and chief executive last April

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Workers are seen inside a cleanroom at chip maker Ningbo Semiconductor International Corp in eastern Zhejiang province. Photo: Handout

Ann Caoin Shanghai

Published: 7:00am, 1 Sep 2023

The former chairman and chief executive of Ningbo Semiconductor International Corp (NSI), an affiliate of top Chinese chip maker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), is facing criminal charges that include embezzlement and bribery, more than a year after he was kicked out of the company he founded in eastern Zhejiang province in 2016.

Herb Huang He, a former US citizen who was once widely lauded for his contributions to China’s semiconductor industry, and NSI ex-financial chief Wang Ying have been put “in the criminal judicial judgment process” on suspicion of “committing serious crimes”, following their removal from senior management, according to a company statement on Tuesday.

The statement, which was signed by NSI general manager Le Zhiping who had taken over the reins of the company from Huang, did not provide details about the alleged crimes. The firm also did not provide an explanation about Huang’s ouster in April last year.

Huang could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

The headquarters of Ningbo Semiconductor International Corp in the city of Ningbo in eastern Zhejiang province. Photo: Handout

NSI, which combines chip foundry operations with customised product design and service support, is focused on special-process semiconductors for 5G communications and mobile terminals, intelligent home appliances and industrial control, industrial Internet of Things and medical electronics.