To stop with all the unproductive ranting. Here's an old article, but one of the reasons I keep on looking to China. Remember I've got my eye on SMIC...
Eyes on the prize...

Infineon empowers Asian fabs
By Mike Clendenin and Peter Clarke, EE Times
Mar 31, 2003 (8:50 AM)
URL: http://www.siliconstrategies.com/story/OEG20030331S0040

Taipei, Taiwan - Infineon Technologies AG is extending its reach in the world's hottest market. The company last week said it will become a technology enabler for China's leading foundry, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., by transferring 0.11-micron DRAM trench technology and 300-mm-wafer production know-how to Shanghai-based SMIC.

The deal builds on Infineon's earlier efforts to establish a regional presence through arrangements with SMIC and with chip makers in Taiwan. It also gives substance to hints dropped by SMIC that the foundry might move to 300-mm wafers faster than expected.

Indeed, chief executive officer Richard Chang suggested last week that SMIC might move 300-mm manufacturing equipment into a fabrication facility under construction in Beijing by the end of the year (see story, page 28). That would mark a milestone in China's quest to catch up with the rest of the globe in semiconductor-manufacturing prowess.

An SMIC spokeswoman confirmed last week that the company would finish the fab shell in Beijing by December and start purchasing equipment around that time.