Synopsys Shutdown Sparks Shockwave in China
Due to tightened U.S. export control policies, Synopsys, a leading semiconductor design software provider, has ceased all sales and services in China. According to an internal letter sent to the company’s Chinese employees, the restrictions took effect on May 29, 2025. The news was first reported by Reuters.
The report highlights that the U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed stricter regulations on the export of software and semiconductor components to China, with several existing licenses already revoked.
Synopsys confirmed that it has halted all new orders in China and suspended the delivery of existing ones. “This will impact not only local clients but also employees of global companies operating in China,” the company stated.
Like Cadence and Siemens, Synopsys is among the top providers of electronic design automation (EDA) software. Together, these three companies hold over 70% of the Chinese market share in this sector.
The abrupt halt in services is expected to significantly disrupt chip development projects in China, potentially affecting the country’s broader technological ambitions amid ongoing tensions with Washington.
