I've always enjoyed my interviews and occasional run-ins with SMIC’s Richard Chang. He’s a good man, and a good salesman for selling the Chinese on the dream of a having their own foundry powerhouse. In the end, however, it was only a dream. So far, the only thing about SMIC that’s been profitable and positive is its associated international school. Perhaps that a hint at what sort of future Richard should pursue.

If you know Richard, you know he is a deeply religious man. He’s donated money and time to help the poor in rural China, and has been instrumental in building at least one school. He went out of his way to hire fab techs from remote provinces, and not just for low wages but because he wanted to give them a chance to get a leg up in a bleak world.

For sure, Richard wasn’t the best manager. His reputation is for building fabs, not running them. This is the second time he’s been unceremoniously removed from the top spot – do a Google on WSMC, Chang and Taiwan. But I hope Richard now has the time to make a difference in other, more fundamental ways, such as he has done in the past. He still has a lot to contribute to China, and I’m sure the country will be grateful to have him stick around.