[MAPLES and CALDER LETTERHEAD]
                               Cayman Europe Asia


Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation
18 Zhangjiang Road
Pudong New Area
Shanghai 201203
People's Republic of China

17 March, 2004


Dear Sirs,

Re: Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation

We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted
company incorporated with limited liability (the "Company"), with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Registration Statement"), relating to the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an amount of
ordinary shares, par value US$0.0004 per share of the Company (the "Shares") for
issuance pursuant to the following Plans (the "Plans"):

- -    Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2004 Stock Option
     Plan

- -    Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2004 Equity Incentive
     Plan

- -    Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2004 Employee Stock
     Purchase Plan

- -    Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2001 Stock Plan

- -    Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2001 Preference
     Shares Stock Plan

As Cayman Islands counsel to the Company, we have examined the corporate
authorisations of the Company in connection with the Plans and the issue of the
Shares by the Company and have assumed that the Shares will be issued in
accordance with the Plans and the resolutions authorising their issue.

It is our opinion that the Shares to be issued by the Company have been duly and
validly authorised, and when issued, sold and paid for in the manner described
in the Plans and in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company and the Compensation Committee (to whom the Board of
Directors have delegated their powers with respect to approval of the Plans) and
when appropriate entries have been made in the Register of Members of the
Company, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to all references to us in the Registration
Statement and any amendments thereto.

Yours faithfully,




/s/  Maples and Calder Asia
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Maples and Calder Asia