China is making strides in reducing its dependence on foreign chip technology, a move that has been a source of concern for its political and business leaders. The country has been investing heavily in its domestic chip industry, particularly in response to trade restrictions imposed by the United States and its allies. China’s “Information Innovation” project, also known as xinchuang, aims to replace foreign suppliers of semiconductor technology. The government is now pushing chipmakers to cooperate with local suppliers, resulting in a deepening semiconductor supply chain. However, the industry operates under a shroud of secrecy, with breakthroughs and setbacks often kept as state secrets. Despite these challenges, China’s semiconductor industry is steadily advancing, raising the question of whether it can ever match that of its rivals. In a surprising move, Huawei, a Chinese tech giant, produced a smartphone containing a seven-nanometer chip capable of 5G internet speeds. This development underscores China’s growing capabilities in the semiconductor industry. For more information, you can read the full article from The Economist.
