On November 23, the 22nd China International Semiconductor Expo (IC China 2025) opened at the Beijing National Convention Center, alongside the 7th Global IC Entrepreneurs Summit. During the opening ceremony, Zhang Li, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Semiconductor Industry Association and President of the China Electronics Information Industry Development Research Institute, stated that driven by markets such as artificial intelligence, embodied intelligence, smart connected vehicles, and quantum computing, the semiconductor industry is undergoing a new wave of transformation. This shift demands higher standards for chip computing efficiency, energy efficiency, and reliability.
Zhang emphasized that China's semiconductor industry must adopt a systematic approach to build an end-to-end innovation ecosystem, leverage application-driven opportunities for industrial transformation, and expand win-win development through open cooperation. Semiconductor technology is empowering industries at an unprecedented depth and breadth, reshaping the future socio-economic landscape.
China's vast semiconductor market provides global semiconductor companies with extensive application scenarios and fertile ground for innovation, continuously injecting confidence and momentum into the global semiconductor industry. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's semiconductor industry has seen steady growth, with total industry sales exceeding 1.8 trillion yuan in 2024. Significant progress has been made in technological innovation, product supply, and industrial structure optimization.
"We firmly believe that strengthening open cooperation in technology and adhering to innovation-driven development are not only essential for China's modernization but also align with the fundamental interests of global prosperity and stability. We will steadfastly promote high-level openness and share the vast opportunities of China's market with the world," Zhang said.
Zhang shared three key insights on semiconductor industry development with attendees:
1. **Adopt a Systematic Approach to Build an End-to-End Innovation Ecosystem** The semiconductor industry heavily relies on systemic innovation. Models like "chip-machine synergy" and "multi-chain integration" are driving collaborative innovation across the supply chain, serving as critical pathways to overcome structural bottlenecks. By improving industrial chain support and mechanisms, barriers between R&D, product validation, and market application can be reduced, enhancing innovation efficiency and fostering end-to-end collaboration.
2. **Strengthen Application-Driven Growth to Seize Industrial Transformation Opportunities** Applications are the driving force behind industrial upgrades. The focus should be on emerging high-impact sectors, opening and expanding application scenarios, and unlocking market potential. This accelerates the transition of new semiconductor technologies and products from labs to markets, creating a virtuous cycle where application needs spur product innovation, and product iterations support application upgrades.
3. **Deepen Open Cooperation to Expand Win-Win Development** The semiconductor industry is inherently global, with open cooperation playing a foundational role in stimulating innovation and facilitating the flow of resources worldwide. By coordinating innovation elements and refining collaboration models, companies can enhance market penetration and influence in standards-setting. In the current landscape, industry players must strengthen mutual trust, align on technology compatibility, standards recognition, and market integration, and engage in joint R&D, talent exchange, and standards development to build a higher-level innovation ecosystem.
Zhang concluded by highlighting that IC China, organized by the China Semiconductor Industry Association, is the only exhibition of its kind in China. Since its inception in 2003, it has become a vital platform for fostering innovation and international collaboration. Moving forward, the event will continue to showcase innovations, build application platforms, and explore long-term cooperation mechanisms to drive semiconductor industry advancements.
The industry must work together to explore new pathways, enhance supply chain collaboration, and improve the ecosystem to usher in a new chapter of development.