Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world's largest chipmaker, said it is applying for permanent approval to ship US chip equipment to its facility in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, in the Chinese mainland, after its one-year license for the plant received a temporary renewal.

TSMC told Nikkei Asia that it has been authorized to continue operating in Nanjing and it is currently in the process of applying for a permanent authorization for its operations in the Chinese mainland.

The company said it has been advised by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the US Department of Commerce to apply for a Validated End-User authorization, which would serve as a permanent authorization.

"We expect to receive a permanent authorization through the VEU process," the company added.