Three sources with inside knowledge of the situation reveal that Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are assessing chip manufacturing equipment from Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. (AMEC) for possible use in their Chinese factories. This move is aimed at mitigating the risks posed by US export controls. In reality, these two industry giants initiated testing of AMEC's etching equipment almost two years prior, in response to the looming uncertainties surrounding US restrictions on importing such equipment into China. Nevertheless, Samsung has refuted claims of testing or considering the utilization of this equipment in its Chinese facilities. Meanwhile, both SK Hynix and AMEC have chosen to withhold comments. Although these evaluations have not yet resulted in widespread adoption, they do present AMEC with a valuable opportunity to gain recognition from leading global manufacturers. Furthermore, they underscore a notable paradox within US technology controls: the efforts to curb China's semiconductor industry have, inadvertently, paved the way for Chinese competitors to gain a foothold in foreign-owned wafer fabs operating within China.