Tech war: SMIC names new chairman as mainland China’s top contract chip manufacturer faces further US semiconductor tech curbs
- Shanghai-based SMIC said 58-year-old Liu Xunfeng, who had served as its vice-chairman, was named the chip maker’s new chairman effective on Monday
- He replaced Gao Yonggang, who resigned from all his corporate roles at SMIC on the same day
In the SMIC announcement, Gao confirmed that “he has no disagreement with the board and that there is no information in relation to his cessation to serve as an executive director that needs to be brought to the attention” of the company’s shareholders.
Liu has had more than 30 years of experience in corporate management, according to the SMIC announcement.
In addition, Liu holds a doctorate in management science and engineering from Xian Jiaotong University, a master’s degree in business administration from China Europe International Business School, and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the Chemical Engineering Department of East China Institute of Chemical Technology, which is now known as East China University of Science and Technology.
With US sanctions hindering its development of advanced semiconductor nodes below 10 nanometres, SMIC has sharpened its focus on capacity expansion of mature nodes. It is currently building three 28-nm foundries.