{
  "id": 19713281,
  "title": "China's memory makers are catching up. What happens when they do?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/chinas-memory-makers-are-catching-up-what-happens-when-they-do",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T22:02:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20261113/chinas-memory-makers-are-catching-up-what-happens-when-they-do"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The memory business has experienced unparalleled growth, driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Korea's chipmakers are reporting extraordinary earnings and an unwavering confidence in the long-term success of the industry. SK hynix's third-quarter operating profit surged more than sevenfold to $62 billion, boasting an operating margin of nearly 80 percent. Samsung Electronics also witnessed a remarkable ninefold increase in profit to $107.4 billion, as its memory division set its own record-breaking performance.\n\nSouth of the Korean Peninsula, China's memory makers are capitalizing on the same wave of prosperity. ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) may still lag behind in terms of size, but its quarterly revenue skyrocketed more than sevenfold to $17.8 billion, with a net profit attributable to shareholders reaching an impressive $54.4 billion, marking a significant turnaround from years of losses. Alongside CXMT, Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) serves as another crucial cornerstone in China's pursuit of memory self-sufficiency, as part of Beijing's broader strategy to achieve technological independence amidst U.S. export restrictions.\n\nThe infusion of fresh capital, construction of new factories, and deployment of increasingly sophisticated technology are empowering these Chinese companies to challenge the established global leaders. As the AI boom continues to fuel the memory business, China's homegrown players are poised to make a significant impact on the international stage.",
  "summary": "The memory business has rarely had it this good, thanks to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Korea’s chipmakers are reporting extraordinary earnings and unusual confidence that the good times will last. SK hynix’s third-quarter operating profit rose more than sevenfold to 83.3 trillion won ($62 billion), an operating margin of almost 80 percent. Samsung Electronics’ rose nearly ninefold to…",
  "key_points": [
    "China's memory makers, like CXMT and YMTC, experience sevenfold revenue growth.",
    "Chinese companies invest in new factories and advanced technology.",
    "AI boom fuels China's memory business growth."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}