Intel CEO confronted with long-term involvement in Chinese chip investments and board positions
In a recent development, Cadence Design Systems, a leading American electronics design automation company, found itself in hot water due to allegations that its employees in China had hidden the name of a customer, the National University of Defense Technology, from internal compliance to continue supplying them. This incident led to a plea deal costing the company over $100 million in fines, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ), announced in late July of 2021.
Interestingly, the National University of Defense Technology had been put on the Department of Commerce's blacklist in 2015 due to its ties with military-related activities, as stated by the DOJ. The university was one of a group of supercomputer operators that had conducted simulations of nuclear explosions.
The controversy surrounding Cadence Design Systems, however, does not seem to involve Robert Tan, a Malaysian businessman known for his significant business presence in Malaysia. Tan, who served as interim head and then CEO of Cadence Design Systems Inc from 2008 to 2021, is no longer involved with any company based in China, according to recent data.
On a different note, Walden International, a venture firm based in San Francisco, has scaled back its investments in Chinese companies, as per PitchBook. The firm, founded by an individual, has made more than 100 investments in China, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), with Walden International investing US$630 million in SMIC in 2003. Today, SMIC is China's largest chipmaker. Tan served on the board of SMIC for a decade and a half.
It is worth noting that Tan is not directly linked to Walden International, Walden Catalyst Ventures, or Celesta Global Capital, nor are there any recent controversies or investments involving these entities and Chinese companies that can be confirmed from public records.
The individual who founded Walden International is also the founding managing partner at Walden Catalyst Ventures, which focuses on investments in the US, Europe, and Israel. He also serves in a similar role at Celesta Global Capital. Additionally, he helped create a spinoff named Walden International that focused on overseas opportunities. The individual is still chairman of Walden International, and as of now, Walden International, Walden Catalyst Ventures, and Celesta have stakes in only a handful of companies based in China, including Hong Kong.
In conclusion, while Cadence Design Systems has faced scrutiny for its ties with the National University of Defense Technology in China, the current status of Robert Tan's business dealings with China, specifically his involvement with Walden International, Walden Catalyst Ventures, and Celesta Global Capital, and any recent related investments or controversies, cannot be confirmed from the available information and appears to be lacking or non-existent in public records as of August 2025.
- The controversy surrounding Cadence Design Systems does not seem to be related to Robert Tan, a Malaysian businessman who served as the CEO of Cadence Design Systems Inc and is no longer involved with any company based in China.
- Walden International, a venture firm based in San Francisco that has made over 100 investments in China, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), appears to have scaled back its investments in Chinese companies as of recent records.
- There are no recent controversies or investments involving Robert Tan, Walden International, Walden Catalyst Ventures, or Celesta Global Capital and Chinese companies that can be confirmed from public records as of August 2025.
