Editing by Kate Yuan

SMIC, China's largest chipmaker, has maintained normal operation with its Tianjin fab since the latest lockdown from the pandemic which began on January 9, in northern China's coastal city Tianjin, thanks to the efforts by the municipal government and the company. SMIC announced on the investor relationship management platform of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. 

SMIC stated that it has ensured that all production and operations are carried out orderly by taking prevention and control measures since the lockdown. The company will pay close attention to the changes of the pandemic and do its best to minimize related risks.

In addition, some investors raised questions on the platforms about how SMIC could carry out the multiple expansion projects in the face of the equipment shortage as a result of the U.S. sanctions. The company responded that after the company was added to the U.S. entity list, related suppliers would obtain the export license from the relevant U.S. authorities and provide SMIC with the items under the Export Control Regulations following the Export Administration Regulations of the U.S. 

SMIC said that its current production has remained stable. It announced new plant expansion projects in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai last year.