Rumor

Rumor: TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei to Visit Alibaba and Other Mainland Chip Designers

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 03:21 AM

TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei is reported to be leading a delegation, including two Vice Presidents, to attend the OIP Ecosystem Forum in Nanjing on December 4th. During the trip, he is also rumored to personally visit Alibaba and other chip design companies in mainland China after a two-and-a-half-year absence.

Context

TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei is reportedly making his first trip to mainland China in 2.5 years, a significant move amid ongoing US-China tech tensions. He is scheduled to attend TSMC's Open Innovation Platform (OIP) Ecosystem Forum in Nanjing on December 4, 2025. During the trip, he is also expected to meet with major Chinese chip design firms, including Alibaba, to explore potential collaborations, accompanied by two of the company's vice presidents. This strategic outreach comes at a critical time. While China's share of TSMC's revenue dipped to 8% in Q3 2025 from 11% a year prior, the market's demand remains substantial. The visit is also shadowed by the impending expiration of a US export license waiver for TSMC's Nanjing fab at the end of 2025. By engaging directly with key customers like Alibaba, TSMC appears to be navigating a complex geopolitical landscape, aiming to secure its business in the region while adhering to strict export controls on advanced technology.

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