168: Chapter 168 A Western Ban!!

Hangzhou City, Fanmi Technology headquarters building.

The atmosphere in the conference room was as heavy as lead.

More than thirty documents were spread out on the long table. The one on top, stamped with the emblem of the US Department of Commerce, was a restrictive order.

Zhou Guangming's knuckles turned white as he gripped the paper, his expression grave.

"The ban covers the entire mobile phone industry chain, from chip design software to screen backlight modules, and even eco-friendly adhesives used for packaging are within the restricted scope." His voice was hoarse as his gaze swept over the executives present. "What's even more ruthless is that it bans the fanmi mobile phone from entering the US market, including third-party platforms like Amazon!"

"In this case, our previous plans to enter the overseas market will have to be temporarily shelved..." Li Guoqiang sighed softly.

"Forget about overseas markets!" Zhou Guangming shook his head, his fingertips jabbing heavily at the stack of documents.

"These are all notifications of cancelled orders. Orders for components involving foreign technology have all been returned! Furthermore, Google has also withdrawn all cross-licensing of patents. The legal department is currently calculating the possible infringement lawsuits—they want to uproot us, from patents to production!"

Although most of the fanmi mobile phone had already achieved domestic substitution, there were still some components that relied on foreign sources. This could not be completely resolved in a short period of time, as it involved supply chain changes and breakthroughs in relevant technologies.

This piece of paper from the US Department of Commerce had indeed come too quickly, leaving absolutely no time to react.

No one had expected the timing to be so tight.

A buzz of discussion arose in the conference room.

In fact, everyone present was still a bit confused and didn't know why the US Department of Commerce had suddenly issued the prohibitive order.

There hadn't been any rumors beforehand!

This was very unreasonable.

"Where exactly did we offend them?" Zhou Guangming couldn't help but ask.

"There's news, a statement just released by the US Department of Commerce!" Li Guoqiang spoke up suddenly. He had been monitoring news in this area and was looking at a newly refreshed page on his phone. He answered, "It says our phones are involved in military use... they appeared on the battlefield and were picked up by their soldiers???"

He looked bewildered, his expression one of disbelief.

"Involved in military use?? Appeared on the battlefield???" Zhou Guangming was also stunned.

Including the other executives in the office, everyone felt somewhat bewildered and uncertain.

"Our products... are being bought by foreign friends?" Zhou Guangming asked tentatively.

"That's too ridiculous, right? Just because one phone appeared on the battlefield, it's judged to be involved in military use?"

"Probably more than one... otherwise it wouldn't have been so easy to find, right?"

"But haven't our phones not been sold abroad yet?"

"Is there a possibility that they bought them domestically and then took them out..."

"The communication capability of the fanmi 2 is indeed much stronger than ordinary mobile phones because it uses dual-core integrated technology. It has also been enhanced in terms of call quality and signal functionality, and even has a certain degree of anti-interference capability..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The conference room fell into silence again.

Everyone looked at each other.

At this moment, Lei Jun was on the phone with Zhou Fan in the hallway.

"Things are about as you predicted. The scope of the blockade is very broad, almost blocking all possibilities for us to expand overseas, especially regarding technical patent licensing; the blockade is very thorough. If this had happened to Fanmi six months ago, we would definitely be doomed!"

"Old Lei, don't worry." Zhou Fan's voice came through the current, accompanied by the background sound of machinery running.

"I'm really not worried now, thanks to your advance planning!" Lei Jun said with a smile. "Compared to being blockaded without any ability to resist, at least now we have the weapons and the possibility to break the blockade!"

"Once your lithography machine production line is up and running, the processor chip issue will naturally be solved. As for other components that still rely on foreign countries, we will always find ways to replace them!"

"Hmm!" Zhou Fan nodded slightly, his tone becoming serious. "The more the Western countries blockade us, the more it shows that our technology makes them panic! This is a good thing..."

"Then we'll just give up on the overseas market for now?" Lei Jun's tone gradually calmed down.

"Give up?" Zhou Fan shook his head slightly, watching the laser beam trace fine lines on the wafer. "When we achieve a breakthrough in 28nm technology, they will come crying and begging us to enter. For now? Let them enjoy life without the fanmi mobile phone first."

Hearing this, a smile also appeared on Lei Jun's face.

"By the way, Zhou Guangming's new energy battery production line is about to start construction. He asked me to ask you if you can also make battery management chips?"

"Have him send people to learn the technology." There was a smile in Zhou Fan's voice. "Three months from now, I guarantee him a fully localized chip production line."

"Alright, he'll definitely be thrilled!"

"..."

Hanging up the phone, Zhou Fan turned to look at a computer screen in the office.

It was refreshing news about the global semiconductor industry in real-time, one of which was displayed in bold red: The US Department of Commerce announced that it would implement stricter licensing systems for semiconductor equipment exported to Huaxia.

"President Zhou, they are trying to cut us off completely!" He Xingwei walked over, his expression grave.

Zhou Fan pointed at the news on the screen and suddenly laughed. "Cut us off completely? I'm afraid it's already too late."

He picked up a marker and drew a big circle on the whiteboard. "Look, the global semiconductor market is only this big. The more we eat, the less they get. Now that they are pushing us out, it just forces us to build our own table. When that time comes, it will be their turn to beg to come and have a meal!"

"Anyway, the lithography machine has already been made, and breakthroughs in other technologies are just a matter of time... Now, it's no longer their call. The tables have turned!"

"The tables have turned..." Hearing these words, He Xingwei's eyes suddenly lit up.

At this moment, he suddenly realized that it was no longer so easy for Western countries to wantonly suppress Huaxia Technology as they had in the past.

With the lithography machine created, it would inevitably be accompanied by a series of industrial upgrades; everything was just a matter of time.

Domestic substitution would become faster and faster, not just for mobile phones, but for all walks of life...

Thinking of this, his chest instantly burned with passion.

At Fanmi Technology, Lei Jun walked into the conference room and saw a heavy atmosphere.

"What's wrong? Why do you all look like you're about to die?"

He looked at everyone and couldn't help but ask.

No one responded.

He didn't mind and continued, "The blockade order was issued yesterday afternoon. By now, most of our suppliers should know the news, as well as some cooperative projects involving foreign technology... But I want to tell everyone, this is not the end of the world!"

Lei Jun looked at everyone, his gaze sharp as a knife. "News has come from Zhou Fan that the production line debugging for the 45nm Lithography Machine is faster than expected, and it can be put into production in at most a month. By then, our own chip production capacity will be able to meet 60% of our demand."

"60%?" Zhou Guangming couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

"Yes, not only processor chips, but also other semiconductor chips. During this time, they will urgently tackle the corresponding semiconductor chip technology!" Lei Jun emphasized his tone. "As for those materials that must be imported, they can also be transshipped through third-party countries. If you have money, you can always buy them!"

"It's just that the price will be a bit more expensive!"

Lei Jun said in a deep voice. He had roughly made a budget. Currently, the fanmi mobile phone could basically achieve 70% domestic substitution of parts, and this proportion was still rising. Now that the US had issued a prohibition order, it meant that the remaining 30% of parts that needed to be imported from abroad would probably not be so easy to obtain.

Costs might increase by about 10%.

But now, this cost meant nothing to him.

As long as the fanmi 2 could be made, Fanmi would be able to hold on!!!

"They must all be waiting to see us make a fool of ourselves..."

Lei Jun's eyes became cold and sharp. "Then let them see how we continue to live better and better!"