June 16, 2006 – The China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA) has applied for membership in the World Semiconductor Council (WSC), an international organization of industry associations from the world’s major semiconductor-producing countries, following an open invitation issued by the WSC last month.

Active involvement by the CSIA, representing China’s growing microelectronics industry, would help increase the effectiveness of the WSC’s efforts to grow the industry and promote free and open markets.

“China is now the world’s largest and fastest-growing major semiconductor market and therefore has a large stake in future growth of the microchip industry,” stated Brian Halla, SIA chairman, 2006 WSC chairman and CEO of National Semiconductor. He noted that China would benefit from active involvement in the WSC, particularly in areas of IP protection, elimination of trade barriers, lower costs for consumers, and environmental concerns.