Asia Tech Wire (May 21) -- Two of China's top chipmakers, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (0981.HK, SMIC) and ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) are pushing to use more domestic suppliers, according to Nikkei.

SMIC and CXMT are pushing to localize the supply of key wafer materials and chemicals to counter U.S. export controls, the report said, citing sources.

The sources said SMIC is asking its customers to help screen, validate and adopt local suppliers of wafers, chemicals, gases and other materials for its wafer production process, a program that has been accelerating since last year.

CXMT is also actively screening domestic suppliers to replace foreign ones, citing national policies.