In the past year, a seasoned Silicon Valley software executive assumed leadership at a startup in China, aiming to offer microchip design software, a domain traditionally dominated by a few major Western corporations. The startup, named SEIDA, positioned itself as a provider of the highly specialized OPC software crucial for advanced chip design.
The OPC software, standing for Optical Proximity Correction, plays a vital role in shaping the design of various microchips, contributing to the ongoing technological rivalry between the United States and China. Washington is actively working to restrict China’s access to such sensitive microchip design tools.
Liguo “Recoo” Zhang, the CEO of SEIDA, has a history of residing in the United States, where he attained permanent residency and acquired a residence in Silicon Valley. This move exemplifies the intricate challenges in Washington’s attempts to contain China’s access to critical microchip design resources.