Core Viewpoint - Intel is testing chip manufacturing tools from ACM Research, a company that has faced U.S. sanctions due to allegations of supporting the Chinese government in military technology and advanced chip manufacturing [1][3]. Group 1: Company Background - ACM Research is headquartered in California, with subsidiaries in Shanghai and South Korea that were sanctioned last year [3]. - The founder of ACM Research, Wang Hui, graduated from Tsinghua University and established the company in Silicon Valley in 1998. He holds 57% of the voting shares and has both U.S. citizenship and Chinese permanent residency [4]. Group 2: Testing and Technology - The wet etch equipment being tested by Intel may be used in its advanced 14A process, which is scheduled for release in 2027 [3]. - There is no confirmation that Intel has decided to incorporate these tools into its advanced process, nor is there evidence that Intel has violated U.S. regulations [3]. Group 3: National Security Concerns - U.S. officials express significant national security concerns regarding Intel's testing of tools from a sanctioned company, fearing that sensitive technology could be transferred to China [3]. - The involvement of a U.S. government investment in Intel raises alarms about the potential replacement of reliable Western equipment suppliers by Chinese firms [3]. Group 4: Policy Implications - The testing of ACM Research tools highlights serious vulnerabilities in U.S. technology protection policies, according to Chris McGuire, a former National Security Council official [4].