China's memory chip industry is entering a critical capital markets phase, with YMTC formally launching IPO counselling and CXMT resuming its STAR Market listing review after updating its prospectus. The parallel moves mark an accelerated push by China's two leading memory chipmakers to secure long-term funding and expand their role in the global semiconductor industry.

Samsung Electronics faces a major labor disruption after its union said about 48,000 workers would walk off the job on May 21, beginning an 18-day strike after last-ditch government-mediated talks over performance-based bonuses collapsed, according to Yonhap News Agency.

SK Hynix is accelerating construction at its Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, as a tightening memory market pushes South Korea's top chipmakers to move faster on long-term capacity plans.

Nan Ya PCB, one of Taiwan's leading IC substrate manufacturers, said it expects capital spending to rebound sharply in 2026, potentially reaching a record high, as demand from advanced chip packaging customers accelerates alongside the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) computing.

Team Group Chairman Dann-Ning Hsia said memory prices are likely to remain elevated as AI-related demand continues to strain supply, with the company prioritizing shipments to long-term customers in industrial, automotive and gaming markets.

Samsung Electronics' labor dispute entered a new phase on May 15 after the company's top executives issued a rare public apology and proposed resuming talks without conditions, only for the union to maintain its plan for an 18-day strike from May 21 to June 7.