The government approved a US$2.5 billion
semiconductor factory by Intel Corp, a move that could significantly boost China's semiconductor manufacturing
capacity, the Wall Street Journal reported. Intel has not confirmed or denied
that it is planning the plant but the issue could prompt scrutiny under US export laws and even spark
criticism from opponents of sending technology and manufacturing to China. China's National Development and Reform
Commission said Intel had won approval to build a plant to fabricate
semiconductor wafers, fundamental to creating computer chips, in Dalian. After months of rumors, the
official posting is the first confirmation that Intel is planning to build such
a plant.
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