Why Chinese Manhattan Project Discussed in World: In the future, the world will be ruled by those who master artificial intelligence (AI). This view of experts is being deeply understood by all countries around the world. China, the world's second-largest economy, is not far behind. It is working on one of the most fundamental components of AI: a lithography machine. This machine's extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source technology is used to create the latest AI chips.
Western media is calling it China's "Manhattan Project," a name coined after the US nuclear bomb program. According to media reports, this high-security research project is underway at a lab in Shenzhen. Sources say the project is targeted for completion by 2028. If successful, China will become largely self-sufficient in advanced AI semiconductors.
According to the report, this project is among President Xi Jinping's top priorities. Its aim is to enable China to domestically produce cutting-edge chips used in AI computing, smartphones, and defense. This project has been launched in China at a time when the United States and its allies have imposed strict restrictions on China's export of advanced chips and the machinery used to manufacture them.
Chinese officials linked to the Dutch company were also involved.
Reports suggest that Chinese tech giant Huawei is coordinating a large part of the project's supply chain, with Chinese research institutes such as the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP) also contributing to the machine's development.
Several former engineers from ASML, the world's largest Dutch semiconductor equipment company, are reportedly involved in the project. Among them, Lin Nan, ASML's former head of light-source technology, is prominent. This has led to speculation that Chinese scientists are attempting to replicate or reverse-engineer ASML's technology.
Prototype machine is ready
China reportedly completed a prototype machine earlier this year, which is currently undergoing testing. Chinese media have clarified that the system currently being tested is not a fully-fledged EUV lithography machine, but merely a light-source prototype. It can produce EUV light at the required wavelengths, but chips capable of using it have not yet been developed.
China is extremely sensitive about this project. Security measures at the Shenzhen-based project are extremely strict. Teams within the lab are divided into different sections and workspaces are designated. Many employees use pseudonyms or fake identities to prevent any information from leaking.
Scientists are offered hefty salaries and large incentives.
According to Reuters, the prototype machine occupies almost the entire factory floor at the research site. It is said to be heavier and less efficient than ASML's commercial machines, which are currently the world leader in EUV lithography.
Xi Jinping's seriousness about this project can be gauged from the fact that those involved are being offered hefty salaries and substantial incentives, including signing bonuses worth millions of yuan and housing subsidies. To attract foreign experts, they are also being offered the unusual offer of dual citizenship, which would protect them from potential sanctions
Why is AI chip machinery important for China's progress?
Foreign experts say the Chinese government aims to begin chip production using domestic EUV technology by 2028. However, some sources close to the project believe that while Chinese scientists are achieving success, many challenges remain. Therefore, it may take until 2030 to complete the project.
According to scientists, EUV technology can create transistors thousands of times thinner than a human hair. Currently, ASML uses this technology to produce such microchips. However, Western countries have prevented China from purchasing ASML's EUV machines. This is why China is now pursuing the development of its own technology, seeking to reduce its dependence on foreign companies.
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