China's 'secret mission'! Advanced chip-making machine developed in lab, world astonished
China is working on a secret project aimed at achieving self-reliance in the production of advanced semiconductor chips. At a lab in Shenzhen, former ASML engineers have created a prototype of a massive lithography machine that generates extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light.
China has taken a major step towards developing advanced semiconductor chips. A secret project is underway at a high-security lab in Shenzhen, China.
Chinese scientists have developed a prototype of a machine capable of manufacturing advanced chips. According to a Reuters report, the prototype was completed in early 2025.
The machine is approximately the size of an entire factory floor. Sources told the agency that it was built by former ASML engineers. Although the machine hasn't yet produced working chips, it is already generating extreme ultraviolet light.
This project will be known as the Manhattan Project
Those involved in this project are calling it China's Manhattan Project. One source simply stated China 's goal, "The aim is for China to eventually produce advanced chips entirely on Chinese-made machinery," and added, "China wants to eliminate the United States 100 percent from its supply chain." This project is being described as part of President Xi Jinping's priority drive for semiconductor self-reliance.
What does a lithography machine do?
Lithography machines are tools that print tiny circuits onto silicon wafers. Smaller circuits typically mean faster and more efficient chips, which are used for AI workloads, high-end phones (flagship models), and military-grade systems.
The cost of the system is Rs 2075 crore.
According to Reuters, EUV uses extreme ultraviolet light to create circuits on wafers that are thousands of times thinner than a human hair.
Currently, ASML is the only company that sells these machines, and according to Reuters, each system costs approximately $250 million (approximately Rs 2075 crore).
According to a Reuters report, the US has pressured the Netherlands to prevent ASML from selling EUV tools to China since 2018. ASML told Reuters that no EUV systems have ever been sold to any customer in China.
ASML CEO Christophe Foquet said in April that it would take China "many, many years" to develop such technology. Reuters says the new prototype suggests Beijing may be closer than many analysts had expected.