Bottleneck for PRC likely equipment now. Shortly after US export controls, SMIC poached Jian Shanyi TSMC R&D Chief, he got SMIC to 7nm in like 2 years from mediocre 14nm - full node leap, i.e. 2 ~generations, before Intel and when Samsung 7nm was barely competent. This was before heavier equipment controls. In terms of producing "master craftsmanship" PRC seems fully capable, a lot of their fab technicians trained by TSMC/Samsung have taken over by now, and doing reasonable job of clawing their way to 5nm with DUV, i.e. they have the technical chops and east asian work ethic. Ultimately since raising semi to first-level dicipline, PRC currently the only major semi power without projected 100,000s talent shortfall in coming years. They have all the capable people... lots of state capacity to buy talent and espionage processes. They just need the machines.