China challenges US-Japan photoresist dominance in semiconductor supply chain
Original framing: “Precision strike: China targets US, Japan stranglehold on photoresist supply” — South China Morning Post
Photoresist development is a highly technical field requiring advanced chemistry and materials science. China's ability to break through in this area depends on both scientific innovation and access to global research networks.
China's push into photoresist production is not a mere 'strike' but a systemic response to decades of Western control over critical semiconductor materials.
This reflects a broader pattern of post-colonial nations seeking to reclaim technological sovereignty, often through state-led innovation. The US-Japan alliance, historically central to global semiconductor leadership, is now facing challenges from a China that is leveraging both state power and strategic investment to break through technological bottlenecks. Cross-culturally, this mirrors similar efforts in India and South Korea, where national identity and economic independence are closely tied to technological self-reliance. To avoid a fragmented global tech landscape, multilateral cooperation and open innovation models must be prioritized, ensuring that all regions have equitable access to the tools of the digital age.