If we insist on saying that the list restrictions have not had any impact on the country, we are simply deceiving ourselves.
Under the restrictions of the Entity List, all companies on the list instantly lost an entire related supply chain.
Not only the core components needed for production, but also computers and other equipment needed for office work cannot be purchased smoothly.
The biggest problem with this is the purchasing departments of various companies - they have to look for alternatives all over the world, but the most ridiculous thing is that in the high-tech field, almost no company in the world can completely escape the influence of the list.
As long as the company reaches a certain scale, elements of the other party will inevitably exist in the product. The difference is just the content.
Of course, this does not mean how strong the other party's technology is or how deeply it has penetrated the world. This is purely the most basic manifestation of economic globalization.
If the standard were changed to "Chinese elements" or "European elements", the result would not be much different.
In this case, more than one-third of the companies that were blacklisted chose to suspend or slow down their operations and seek to solve the supply chain problems as soon as possible.
This group of companies is mainly concentrated in the semiconductor field. Although the previous lithography machine project has created a certain amount of room for maneuver, the right to speak in the chip industry is still in the hands of the United States after all, and they do need more time.
What they can do is to wait for official communication, open the temporary license application channel, ensure business continuity first, and hold on until the decisive technology emerges, and until what we come up with can turn the opponent's table off. .
Shanghai, Shanghai Microelectronics Headquarters.
In the office, Zhang Rujin was drinking tea with a leisurely expression, and sitting around him were representatives from various companies.
The purpose of their gathering in Shanghai this time is clear, which is to discuss the impact of the US entity list and formulate a unified response strategy.
In the corner, Li Zixue, a representative from ZTE, finally put down his mobile phone that was constantly receiving messages. He raised his head, glanced around, and said:
"We're all here, let's stop being impatient and let's see what you think. Let's talk about it?"
"Everyone can see the situation here. We are highly dependent on American components and the supply chain is under great pressure."
"Especially in the past few months, because of the unrest in Sudan, we were forced to withdraw all our operations there."
"At that time, we had invested more than 3 billion US dollars in the capital's relocation project. The result was good. Ericsson's equipment was removed. Our equipment had just been installed. Before we had time to debug, the capital was almost gone."
"Now Khartoum officials still owe us US$2.6 billion in equipment payments that have not been paid. This is a fatal blow to our financial situation."
"If this list is really implemented, I'm afraid we won't be able to survive this year."
After hearing his words, everyone in the conference room looked a little solemn.
Everyone in this conference room is not working on their own, some of them are indeed competitive, but at this moment, everyone has a feeling of "the rabbit dies and the fox is sad".
"So what's your plan? Apply for a temporary permit?"
Zhang Rujin asked.
“We want to apply to be lifted from the Entity List.”
"Lift the Entity List? How is this possible!"
Hearing Li Zixue's words, Zhang Rujin couldn't help but feel a little funny.
Are you kidding me?
Do you think this list is for your company, or for a separate semiconductor industry?
To put it bluntly, this is a national dispute.
They just want to bring down the entire Chinese economy through suppression in order to maintain their global technological and economic hegemony.
In this case, should you talk about lifting restrictions or removing the list?
Isn't that just an idiot's dream?
Zhang Rujin looked at Li Zixue in surprise. He couldn't understand. He was also a business veteran and an experienced manager. In theory, his sensitivity to the macro situation would not be too weak. How could he still be so sensitive at this time? To say such mindless words?
The reactions of the others were similar to Zhang Rujin's. After noticing everyone's gazes, Li Zixue sighed and answered:
"There's no way around it."
"We are different from you. We are not only under pressure on profits, but also on stability."
"We can't fail, and we can't have problems, because once problems occur, it will affect not only the economy, but also the governance stability of the entire place."
"Don't use these things to make excuses!"
Zhang Rujin interrupted Li Zixue's words without politeness, and then said sharply:
"You are engaging in capitulationism! You yourself know the nature of your company, and now you are here to talk about compromise?"
"Do you know what kind of negative impact it will have if you take the lead in compromising?"
"How much energy and resources have been spent by the Civil Law Office to establish this situation with great difficulty. Although we do still have difficulties now, at least we are no longer as helpless as we were a few years ago."
"Are you trying to tell us now that you want to hand over our only trump card and let us go back to the past?"
Li Zixue's expression was a little embarrassed, and his voice lowered, as if he was defending or comforting himself:
"We're not going to make any contributions. We just want to try out the possibility of lifting it."
"After all, if this road can be opened, it will be good for all of us."
"Stop it now."
Zhang Rujin waved his hand suddenly and asked:
"If you don't accept the certificate of surrender, why should they treat you as one of their own?"
"Let me tell you clearly, the core of whether you can lift the restrictions does not lie with ZTE at all, but with us, Shanghai Microelectronics!"
"Unless we give up our chip projects and lithography machines, their suppression of the semiconductor industry will never be lifted."
"We have already been prepared for this."
“When the Office of Civil Development found me, we were already ready!”
"So, no more talk about removal from this office, it's pointless."
"Applying for a temporary license, yes, no problem, it will buy us more time."
"But compromise is absolutely unacceptable!"
Zhang Rujin's words set the tone for this discussion. Li Zixue said no more and picked up his phone again.
Others in the conference room began to discuss real coping strategies.
"The problems we are facing now are actually big or small. Most of the components in communication equipment hardware can be replaced by domestic ones. But what is embarrassing is that the performance is indeed not as good as some imported components. "
"If we fully use domestic substitution, the most intuitive perception is the decline in customer-side efficiency. Obviously, friendly companies including Ericsson and Nokia will definitely take advantage of the opportunity, and the market we finally captured is likely to be hit hard. .”
"So, in this regard, we need more policy support - of course, we are not saying that we are selling misery and crying about poverty, but there is an objective demand."
"In addition, the development of overseas markets is also very important. In Africa and the Middle East, we have not dared to let go because we were worried about the various long-arm jurisdiction strategies of the United States."
"Then take advantage of this opportunity. Since we have already broken our skin, we are not going to show mercy."
"In this strategy, we hope that the official will provide certain support and protection, and we must also be prepared for the escalation of the conflict."
Demands and strategies were put forward one by one, and under the auspices of Zhang Rujin, these suggestions were recorded one by one.
As the discussion deepened, everyone gradually reached a consensus.
That is:
Now that the Americans are so embarrassed, we don’t need to be embarrassed.
Markets that we did not dare to touch before, such as Iran, Cuba, and Korea, are now ours.
At this moment, no one can tell which of the benefits and disadvantages the list brings.
But they all know that times are changing.
Perhaps what they are realizing is a "Third World Alliance" in a special sense.
On the other hand, as discussed by everyone in Shanghai, officials have begun to pave the way for the development of the communications industry, and the core of this is to win over several countries in the Middle East that were once inaccessible due to the "list".
An office in a government building in Tehran.
Wang Ming, general manager of Poly Technology, once again appeared overseas, and at this moment, sitting opposite him were representatives of the military and political circles in Tehran.
The first person to speak was military representative Reza. He and Wang Ming were old acquaintances. The two sides had discussed issues related to arms exports a long time ago.
However, due to geographical sensitivity, cooperation between the two parties could not be reached, which was also a big regret for Reza.
Therefore, he could even be said to be flattered that Wang Ming could take the initiative to come to Tehran this time.
"Ming, I've been looking forward to meeting you again, but I didn't expect that seeing you again would be in our own country."
"We are extremely grateful for your kindness. Here, I can assure you on my own behalf that I will pay for all the expenses while you are in Tehran - don't refuse me, just treat it as a friend's kindness."
Wang Ming smiled, nodded, and replied:
"Then thank you in advance - my expenses are not big, and they may not even meet ABC standards."
Hearing his words, Reza couldn't help laughing.
In fact, Wang Ming's words are purely a satire on the U.S. Department of Commerce. In the past few years, they have not completely banned companies from various countries from doing business in Iran, but as long as you really dare to come over, you will face the inevitable consequences. Just review after review.
Among them, the one they use most frequently and have the vaguest judgment standards is the legendary ABC, which is the anti-commercial bribery rules.
Not to mention some small companies, even Ericsson has been involved in this and was fined one billion US dollars.
Officials in Tehran were annoyed by this, so when Wang Ming mentioned it, Reza understood it.
After laughing for a moment, Reza spoke again:
"I have also heard about the problems you have faced recently. No matter what, we are all friends on the same side. The enemies who play with monopoly and hegemony will one day perish, and we will definitely persist until the end.
Wang Ming nodded solemnly, but he did not answer Reza's words, but said bluntly:
"Reza, the purpose of my coming here this time has been explained to you. I want to ask, how have you considered the conditions for our early communication?"
"No problem at all!"
Reza raised her head and said without hesitation.
"No problem at all?"
This time, it was Wang Ming's turn to be stunned.
This is a situation he has never encountered in his entire career. He has put forward conditions, but his opponent does not even intend to return the counter-offer?
After hesitating for a moment, he confirmed again:
"You mean there are no problems at all? Are you sure? You mean you can accept all the conditions we have proposed?"
"Including what we call RMB settlement, priority supply rights, security measures, and communication equipment exclusivity?"
"Yes, there is nothing wrong. We accept them all."
Reza's tone remained calm, as if what he was saying was a matter of course.
Wang Ming took a deep breath, nodded slightly and said:
"In that case, I think we are ready to sign the contract."
"We still have to go through several more rounds of communication regarding the delivery of specific equipment, but you can rest assured that as long as it is what we promised to deliver, it will be delivered to you."
"I believe you."
Reza stretched out his hand to Wang Ming, who reached out to hold it. In the midst of this handshake, Poly Technology's largest order since the 21st century has been completed.
Both of them had smiles on their faces at the same time. After sitting down again, Reza pretended to be mysterious and asked:
"Ming, do you know why we didn't bargain?"
Wang Ming shook his head and looked at Reza curiously.
That's what he wanted to know.
It stands to reason that there is no so-called "affection" between countries. No matter how deep the friendship is, their respective interests must be considered in transactions.
Tehran's performance this time is obviously abnormal.
"So, why?"
Reza did not answer directly, but continued to ask:
"You have won Africa, you have won Saudi Arabia, and now you have finally decided to turn to us, right?"
"Your preparations are almost completed. The order of this world will soon change, right?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Ming's eyes flickered inadvertently.
Then, he shook his head slightly.
It seemed like a denial, but it also seemed like an inconvenient recognition.
Yes, time has reached the most critical moment, and China is finally about to pick up the most difficult part of the puzzle.
it is more than words.
Seeing his performance, Reza didn't say another word.
To him, this was the answer he wanted.
China has big plans, and Tehran has already given its vote.
The fate of this country will be bound to the dragon in the east.
Whether we can struggle out of the quagmire depends on the next 10 years.
Some people may think this is a big gamble, but Tehran officials, including Reza, do not think so.
Because they know that the country they are attached to and the army in this country's hands are "invincible" in the true sense.
They really haven't lost, not once in decades
(End of chapter)
