The export restrictions imposed by the United States on semiconductor chips have compelled an American tech firm to consider selling downgraded artificial intelligence chips to its Chinese clientele witch affected Semiconductor Industry China. Unfortunately, these chips received a lukewarm reception, underscoring the intricate challenges China faces in its quest for semiconductor self-sufficiency.
While China has achieved significant success in technological domains like 5G and electric vehicles, its dependency on imported chips remains a bottleneck. Notably, a typical new car incorporates over 1,000 chips, mostly sourced locally in China, except for certain imported ones.
China is the largest semiconductor market globally, with sales reaching approximately US$180 billion in 2022, comprising over 30% of the total global market. Despite significant progress in semiconductor manufacturing, critical chip design software and manufacturing equipment are still predominantly under Western control.
Huawei’s HiSilicon and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) have emerged as key players in China’s semiconductor industry. SMIC, in particular, has challenged perceptions by producing advanced processors, such as the 7nm chip featured in Huawei phones. Looking ahead, collaborations between SMIC and Huawei aim to further reduce reliance on imported high-end chips.
However, China faces a significant challenge exemplified by ASML, a Dutch company specializing in photolithography systems crucial for semiconductor manufacturing. Due to US export restrictions, China’s access to ASML’s advanced equipment remains limited, despite its efforts to overcome dependencies on foreign technology.
China recently unveiled the world’s first functional graphene semiconductor, potentially challenging the dominance of silicon-based semiconductors. Graphene’s exceptional properties could revolutionize computing by enhancing processing speeds and reducing power demands.
While historically, semiconductor innovation has been driven by the United States, the current risk-reward profile of the industry is perceived as unattractive by many venture capital investors, leading to increased dominance by Chinese investors.
China’s pursuit of semiconductor self-reliance is seen as a strategic imperative, requiring skillful navigation of domestic innovation and international collaboration. Just as the United States has marshaled global resources to contain China’s semiconductor ambitions, China must coordinate both domestic and international efforts to realize its strategic goals. The future of the semiconductor industry depends on striking a balance between competition and collaboration among interconnected actors.