The Pentagon.
The leading official quickly strode through the corridor and entered the office.
"China has imposed controls on artificial diamonds below 100 microns? What about our chip research and development project? What about our scientific research projects?!"
Natural diamonds are the stars in the jewelry industry, while artificial diamonds are the workhorses in industrial manufacturing.
In the 4th century BC, natural diamonds first appeared as gemstones in India and became the jewelry treasures of the noble class. In 1866, the first large diamond mine was discovered in South Africa. Twenty years later, the British businessman Cecil Rhodes founded the De Beers Company, which monopolized the diamond market and associated diamonds with love, thus establishing their absolute position in the jewelry market.
At that time, all human knowledge about diamonds was limited to jewelry, ornaments, and accessories.
It wasn't until 1954 that the American General Electric Company successfully cultivated the world's first artificial diamond in the laboratory. Only then did the global scientific community discover in astonishment that humans could actually create minerals.
Relevant research soon began. Scientific research institutions around the world found that this hardest substance created by humans in nature was very suitable for use in the industrial cutting field.
Yes, indeed. Back then, human scientists never imagined that artificial diamonds would one day be used in chip research and manufacturing. However, the wisdom of the Chinese nation and the far - sighted vision of its great leaders were fully demonstrated at this moment!
— In 1960, as Sino - Soviet relations deteriorated, China was faced with a series of technological blockades. The top - secret Project 121 was launched, and Henan Province began independent research on artificial diamonds.
There were no blueprints, no references, and at that time, there wasn't even a single machine for manufacturing and cultivating diamonds! But the scientists, relying on their understanding of physics and science, inferred that the research and development conditions for artificial diamonds required simulating the environment deep within the Earth to carry out artificial cultivation. That is, a high - temperature environment of 1300℃ - 1600℃ and a high pressure of about 50,000 atmospheres!
The six - sided top press was born in response to the times. It was simple, cheap, rough, and dangerous.
Injecting pressure was required to develop artificial diamonds, and releasing pressure was needed to extract them. But when the pressure exceeded the limit of the machine, an explosion would occur. The temperature of over 2000℃ would burst out of the machine in an instant, taking away young lives in just a fraction of a second, leaving not even a trace of ashes!
While we were still paving the way for this scientific research with blood and lives, the West was using more advanced, precise, safe, and expensive two - sided top presses. They laughed at us, saying that we would never succeed and blocked all our channels of assistance.
'Block them. Block them for ten or eight years, and all of China's problems will be solved.'
So, in 1963, China successfully developed its own first artificial diamond in history!
Then, in 1965, China developed the first complete and optimized six - sided top press in history, officially laying the foundation for the large - scale production of artificial diamonds!
Large - scale production! In an era that could not even be called poor but extremely destitute! China, as a backward agricultural country, confronted the world's most powerful scientific and industrial powers head - on and challenged the most cutting - edge technology in the world at that time! The scientists gritted their teeth, swallowed their blood and tears, and forged a broad path that would help future generations counter technological blockades!
If you ask where the most advanced, the most amazing, and the most outstanding artificial diamond manufacturing in the world is today, I'll tell you it's in China, in Henan!
"More than 70% of the world's artificial diamonds now come from China. The diamonds provided by other countries are far inferior to those from China in terms of quality and cost. Cutting - edge scientific research requires artificial diamonds and simply cannot do without them. Even if we were to form an artificial diamond mutual - assistance alliance now, how could we fill the technological gap of over 60 years? How could we make up for the missing market supply? We cannot lose the supply of artificial diamonds from China. We absolutely cannot!"
As the leader said this, the bloodshot in his eyes was clearly visible.
Historically, it was the West that first developed artificial diamonds, but in reality, it was China that dominated the global market in this field. The price of just one part of the two - sided top press was far higher than that of China's six - sided top press!
But it was precisely this that led to their downfall.
In the early years, the West had strong industrial technology, so they focused on high - end and sophisticated technology, pouring all their resources, manpower, and wealth into the corresponding industrial supply and concentrating all their efforts on this area. It would be too uneconomical for them to turn back and tackle China's "low - end" six - sided top press technology.
— Starting cross - era scientific and technological research requires national - level resources!
Even if they were willing to restructure the R & D environment.
If a 60 - year gap were so easy to catch up with, there would be no distinction between technologically strong and weak countries in the world!
What made them even more angry and frustrated was the reversal of the offensive - defensive situation.
The China that had always been suppressed, sanctioned, and blocked by them had now stood up and was hitting them in the face and choking their necks!
"The data of artificial diamonds in the chip field far exceed those of the previous - generation metal products. There is simply no substitute. If they impose controls, the remaining reserves of artificial diamonds in our hands are far from enough for our subsequent research and production. We must have a dialogue with them. Otherwise, not only the chip industry but also our subsequent work in semiconductors, optics, thermal management, and particle nuclear radiation will be restricted! Moreover, they are currently only controlling artificial diamonds below 100 microns. What if they also impose controls on large - particle artificial diamonds..."
The leader's face grew paler as he spoke. If micron - level artificial diamonds were the golden materials for industrial manufacturing, then large - particle artificial diamonds were the compass for future cutting - edge technology and the fulcrum of national destiny!
Because they were the core basic materials for the next - generation high - power chips, quantum computers, directed - energy weapons, and space equipment!
"Contact the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately and hold a press conference! We must have a full - scale dialogue with China to discuss the export of artificial diamonds. We cannot lose artificial diamonds, and we cannot lose China! Arrange the dialogue immediately!"
All departments quickly took action. People scurried around nervously and panicked, arranging their statements. The leader stepped onto the podium without even wiping the sweat and nervousness off his face and shouted for China to stay calm.
The Chinese side completely ignored them. The people in the Pentagon were so anxious that they roared, "Arrange a plane and fly to China!"
The high - level officials were extremely nervous and panicked, and companies like Yaoyang in the chip - manufacturing industry were also in a complete frenzy.
The German - Chinese joint - venture company Hongguang called and said, "China has imposed controls on artificial diamonds below 100 microns? How can we continue our chip research project, in which we have invested tens of billions? What about our investment?"
Alexander from Yaoyang replied, "We didn't expect them to directly control artificial diamonds. We're also very anxious!"
"I don't care whether you're anxious or not. We will never allow any mistakes in this project with such a huge investment. After all, this problem was caused by you. Whether you have to kneel, kowtow, or even cede territory and pay compensation, I must see this problem solved immediately! Stop it from getting worse!"
The joint - venture partner's merciless scolding clearly showed how serious the situation was.
With the export of artificial diamonds being restricted and the Pentagon in a panic, how could Yaoyang, which had been vigorously researching chip manufacturing, not be nervous? How could they not realize the gravity of the problem?
The muscles on Alexander's face tightened, and his eyes were filled with hatred. Now, if he was asked to back down, how could he?
He had no choice but to bow to Zhu Ning!