ASML Photo: VCG

　　Netherlands-based lithography toolmaker ASML saw stronger-than-expected demand in 2025, with stronger-than-expected growth in the Chinese mainland market, the company said in its annual financial report released on Wednesday.

　　For the whole year, the company posted total net sales of 32.7 billion euros ($38.55 billion), of which 28.1 billion euros were generated from Asia.

　　The lithography market showed double-digit growth, where China remained stronger than initially expected, not only for lithography but also for the full wafer fab equipment market, according to the annual report.

　　The Chinese mainland remained ASML"s biggest market in the fourth quarter of 2025, accounting for 36 percent of the company"s net system sales, Chief Financial Officer Roger Dassen said in a call with reporters, Bloomberg reported in January. The Chinese market is expected to fall to about 20 percent of revenue going forward.

　　A Chinese analyst said that the results from the Chinese market were achieved amid restrictions banning certain ASML products from being sold to the Chinese mainland, underlining the significance of China"s vast market. It also showed that the Chinese market remains open to mutually beneficial, win-win trade, reflecting the nation"s long-standing commitment to opening-up and cooperation.