📡Guardians of Hong Kong

France is investigating suspected smuggling to China and Russia of advanced chip technology

French magistrates have filed preliminary charges against two Chinese citizens and two other people from France in an investigation of a leading chip supplier whose advanced technology with possible military uses was reportedly smuggled to China and Russia, allegedly skirting sanctions and export controls.

The probe of #Ommic, a Paris-region semiconductor manufacturer now in American hands, was launched by France’s national prosecution service that specializes in cases involving arms proliferation.

The newspaper Le Parisien first reported on the case. It said investigators have uncovered nearly 12 million euros (more than $13 million) worth of suspected exports of technology.
It said the company’s French manager is suspected of having personally delivered chips to Russian clients. It said products were also exported to Chinese armament manufacturers with the help of forged paperwork.

The newspaper said a Beijing-based Chinese businessman with ties to China’s defense industry bought a majority stake and took control of Ommic in 2018.

France’s counter-espionage agency suspects the Chinese investor was seeking to transfer French technology to China, notably a semiconductor manufacturing process that Ommic specializes in, the newspaper said.

Source: AP News #Jul28

https://apnews.com/article/france-china-russia-chip-technology-smuggling-66a8a4edcaf7137e109a16d6d300cd94

#China #IndustrialEspionage #TechnologyTheft

AP News

France is investigating suspected smuggling to China and Russia of advanced chip technology

French magistrates are investigating a leading chip supplier whose advanced technology with possible military uses was reportedly smuggled to China and Russia, allegedly skirting sanctions and export controls.

www.tg-me.com/nl/Guardians of Hong Kong/com.guardiansofhongkong/33411

2.1K viewsAug 5, 2023 at 12:21

France is investigating suspected smuggling to China and Russia of advanced chip technology

French magistrates have filed preliminary charges against two Chinese citizens and two other people from France in an investigation of a leading chip supplier whose advanced technology with possible military uses was reportedly smuggled to China and Russia, allegedly skirting sanctions and export controls.

The probe of #Ommic, a Paris-region semiconductor manufacturer now in American hands, was launched by France’s national prosecution service that specializes in cases involving arms proliferation.

The newspaper Le Parisien first reported on the case. It said investigators have uncovered nearly 12 million euros (more than $13 million) worth of suspected exports of technology.
It said the company’s French manager is suspected of having personally delivered chips to Russian clients. It said products were also exported to Chinese armament manufacturers with the help of forged paperwork.

The newspaper said a Beijing-based Chinese businessman with ties to China’s defense industry bought a majority stake and took control of Ommic in 2018.

France’s counter-espionage agency suspects the Chinese investor was seeking to transfer French technology to China, notably a semiconductor manufacturing process that Ommic specializes in, the newspaper said.

Source: AP News #Jul28

https://apnews.com/article/france-china-russia-chip-technology-smuggling-66a8a4edcaf7137e109a16d6d300cd94

#China #IndustrialEspionage #TechnologyTheft

BY 📡Guardians of Hong Kong