South Korean IC design house LX Semicon saw more than 50% of its 2024 revenue come from the Chinese market because of increased shipments to panel maker BOE Technology.

Electroacoustic component manufacturer Merry Electronics passed a resolution on March 17 to purchase 100% of the shares of Japanese manufacturer MWT Holdings from unrelated parties, including the fund J-STAR No. 3 SS, LP, for an amount not to exceed JPY10.28 billion (US$68.65 million). Through the acquisition, Merry will fully own MWT and its subsidiaries.

Amid the rising demand for electricity driven by the expansion of chipmakers, Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), has stated that the US is willing to assist Taiwan in securing reliable energy sources. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers have officially proposed a bill to allow the nuclear power plant in Kuosheng, which is set to be decommissioned on May 17, to extend its operation for another 20 years with legal backing.

The consequences of the US BIS whitelist transfer have led to a surge in orders from China-based IC design firms, which will enhance the sales performance of associated Taiwan-based OSATs beginning in the second quarter, according to industry sources.