Semiconductors & Chips

No new direct Chinese semiconductor policy documents emerged this period. However, People's Daily (July 15) explicitly lists 'advanced chip key technology breakthroughs' as a national strategic task under its new 'education-science-talent integration' framework, signaling sustained central political will for self-sufficiency [12]. At the 2026 World AI Conference, industry insiders noted that domestic chips and large models are accelerating breakthroughs, with the ecosystem shifting from single-point capabilities to full-stack synergy [8].

Earlier developments continue to hold: Kimi K3 completed a chip design flow in 48 hours, demonstrating AI's potential to bypass traditional EDA bottlenecks [2]. Changchuan Technology raised 3.127 billion yuan for semiconductor test equipment, and CXMT plans an IPO with no actual controller—both indicating progress in domestic fabrication and DRAM self-sufficiency [13]. Memory chip cost increases remain a drag on Chinese auto companies' H1 profits [5].

Externally, Taiwan's Executive Yuan reaffirmed its 'three priorities' to keep advanced manufacturing and technology on the island, forecasting 2026 semiconductor revenue of NT$8.4 trillion [3]. ASML raised its full-year revenue forecast on AI-driven demand, underscoring global equipment constraints China still faces in leading-edge lithography [9]. Apple's pursuit of an AI chip company [10] and Japan's plan to buy 27,500 NVIDIA Rubin chips [7] highlight the intensifying global chip race.