Russia and China deepen semiconductor cooperation at trade fair in Wuxi

Shanghai. It's not far to Moscow. The name of the capital is emblazoned in red letters on the stand of the Russian representatives who are presenting themselves at China's major semiconductor trade fair CSEAC in Wuxi: employees are waiting for interested parties, a few are in conversation with Chinese business people, translators ensure communication. A few visitors to the trade fair look at the Russian machines on display - including an optical lithography system for chip production.

Wuxi is the center of China's semiconductor industry. The city with more than 7.5 million inhabitants is only medium-sized by Chinese standards, but has great economic power and is of central importance for China's rise to become a technological superpower. This will also become clear this week at CSEAC, China's major trade fair for materials and components for chip manufacturing.

In the semiconductor industry, Russia and China work closely together, although with structurally different roles. Both countries are pursuing the goal of becoming more independent from the West. But Chinese supply chains are becoming increasingly important for chips and the entire manufacturing chain for Russia. This deepens the dependence on a partner who officially likes to describe the relationship as equal.