it obtain a license. The action elicited a rebuke from China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian. On 4 October 2020, SMIC stated that the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security had informed some of SMIC's suppliers that according to U.S. export control regulations they must apply for an export license in advance before supplying SMIC with some American equipment, accessories and original products. In December 2020, the United States Department of Defense named SMIC as a company "owned or controlled" by the People's Liberation Army and thereby prohibited any American company or individual from investing in it. In December 2020, the United States Department of Commerce added SMIC to the Bureau of Industry and Security's Entity List. Processes 14 nm On 14 November 2019, SMIC announced that volume production of 14 nm FinFET had begun. N+1 N+1 is the follow-on to SMIC's 14 nm process, and is targeted for inexpensive chips. Risk production is planned to begin in the fourth quarter of 2020. SMIC ordered an EUV step-and-scan system from ASML Holding for $120 million in 2018. The order was blocked after the US government lobbied ASML and the government of the Netherlands. See also Semiconductor industry Semiconductor industry in China List of semiconductor fabrication plants Further reading References External links Semiconductor companies of China Foundry semiconductor companies Companies based in Shanghai Electronics companies established in 2000 2000 establishments in China Companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange 2004 initial public offerings Chinese brands Government-owned companies of China Offshore companies of the Cayman Islands