BEIJING — Against the backdrop of the global economic downturn and rising protectionism, numerous multinational semiconductor companies have participated in the China International Import Expo (CIIE). It demonstrates their confidence in China's potential and determination to embrace the Chinese market, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Nov 10.

Zhao Lijian's comments came after Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, ASML, and other international chip giants participated in the CIIE. Some Western media said that the US chip ban on China resulted in massive revenue losses for major chip companies but did not weaken the confidence of global chip companies in China.

"The ongoing CIIE attracted many multinational semiconductor companies, including large US semiconductor firms, to the expo, covering multiple production links. These included semiconductor manufacturing equipment, wafer manufacturing, chip design, and semiconductor materials," Zhao told a daily press briefing. Zhao added that multinational technology companies such as Tesla, Microsoft, Meta, Ericsson, and Siemens also showcased their latest products and equipment, focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as the metaverse, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

He noted that these companies have participated in successive CIIE expos, demonstrating their confidence in China's potential and determination to embrace the Chinese market. He said it proves that China's promotion of high-quality development and opening-up is in line with the trend of development and progress of the times.

The spokesperson emphasized that the formation and development of the global chip industry chain and supply chain is the result of the combined action of market rules and enterprise choices.

"Certain countries have repeatedly abused their state powers, politicized, instrumentalized and weaponized science, technology and trade issues, and maliciously blocked and suppressed China. These actions forced the decoupling and breaking of the chain," Zhao said. He noted these acts would not only seriously undermine international trade rule but also fragment the global market and undermine the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

He stressed that China would continue to work with the international community to oppose economic coercion and scientific and technological bullying and jointly safeguard the stability of the rules and foundation of the world financial system and the security of global industrial and supply chains.

"At the same time, we will take this CIIE as an opportunity to keep our doors open to facilitate business investment in China, jointly building a more united and prosperous future," he said.