Chinese firm to divest a majority stake in a Scottish semiconductor company.
The UK government has ordered China-registered Future Technology Devices International Holding Ltd to sell the majority stake—80.2%—in Scottish chipmaker FTDI, citing national security concerns. The government voiced concerns that UK-developed semiconductor technology and intellectual property could be misused if controlled by foreign interests that have been considered potentially harmful.
This directive requires FTDI’s Chinese parent company to follow a set procedure and timeline to complete the sale. The move highlights the UK’s efforts to protect sensitive technology sectors and its vigilance over foreign investments that may impact national security.
Increasingly, governments worldwide are scrutinising tech-related investments, especially in semiconductor industries, due to the strategic importance of chip technologies in national defence, infrastructure, and critical sectors.