(Telecompaper) The US government has decided to restrict exports to China Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), saying there is an "unacceptable risk" as equipment supplied could be used for military purposes in China, Reuters reported, citing a letter from the Commerce Department. The move means US companies wishing to sell equipment SMIC will have to apply for a licence. US companies such as Lam Research, KLA Corp and Applied Materials, which supply chipmaking equipment, may need to get licenses to ship certain goods to SMIC.