Chinese premier visits Samsung semiconductor plant in Xi’an

Posted on : 2019-10-16 16:46 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Li Keqiang emphasizes China’s commitment external openness and cooperation in high-tech
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at a  Samsung Electronics semiconductor plant in Xi’an
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at a Samsung Electronics semiconductor plant in Xi’an

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s paid a surprise visit to a local Samsung Electronics semiconductor plant during an inspection visit to Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in northwest China, to share a renewed emphasis on the commitment to external openness and increased cooperation in high-tech industry areas.

According to information shared on Oct. 15 by the Chinese State Council, Li arrived in Xi’an the day before, stating after a visit to the semiconductor display hall that he “welcome[s] increased investment in China by Samsung and other global high-tech companies,” adding that they would “enjoy thorough intellectual property right protections and equal treatment to other domestic and overseas businesses registered in China.” Li’s decision to visit to the factory was reportedly made on the spur of the moment the weekend before. He was accompanied on the visit by Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei.

“Cooperation between Samsung and China has been taking place for a long time, and collaboration in high-tech areas has resulted in the creation of high value-added,” Li said.

“China intends to open the door of openness wider to the outside,” he pledged.

Li also stressed that China “has a vast market, and with industries shifting from low value-added to medium and high value-added production, the business opportunities are limitless.”

Li has shown particular interest in the factory, sending a congratulatory cable at the time of its groundbreaking in September 2012. The first factory entered operation in 2014 and currently employs over 3,000 workers, with V-NAND flash semiconductors as a mainstay product. While completion of a second factory was initially announced for the end of this year, the timeline is reportedly being treated as fluid amid trends in the semiconductor market.

Samsung Electronics previously suspended its smartphone production in China outright, respectively withdrawing mobile phone factories operating in Tianjin and in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, in December 2018 and late September 2019 as its share of the Chinese mobile phone market dropped below the 1% range.

By Jung In-hwan, Beijing correspondent

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