China’s Natural Sand Export Ban to Taiwan has Limited Impact on its Chip Industry: Experts

Chinese media disclosed that China imports most of its natural sand

An employee makes a chip at a factory of Jiejie Semiconductor Company in Nantong, in eastern China's Jiangsu province, on March 17, 2021. STR/AFP via Getty Images

China has hit Taiwan with several economic sanctions following U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s high-profile visit to the island. Among them is a ban on natural sand export to Taiwan aimed at hurting some of its industries, including semiconductors. However, Chinese media recently disclosed that China does not produce the high-purity sand required for chipmaking but instead relies on imports.

On Aug. 3, China’s Ministry of Commerce suspended its natural sand exports to Taiwan. The move was widely seen as part of the retaliatory measures taken by Beijing over Pelosi’s visit.