Here are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories during the week of September 25-29:
US pressures will lead to 'golden decade' for China's semiconductor industry: experts
Among the attendees at the 2023 Beijing International Seminar on Micro-Electronics and IC World Conference on September 25 were Ye Tianchun, director of the IC division of the China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA), as well as Tsinghua University professor and CSIA deputy director Wei Shaojun. According to Ye, mounting pressure from US authorities has only led China's tech industry to become self-sufficient, and a golden decade is on the horizon for the semiconductor industry in China as new pathways arise.
With frequent layoffs at US semiconductor companies, could chip talents be returning to Taiwanese companies?
In Taiwan, Google, which previously scooped up a lot of Taiwanese IC design talent, has already undergone several waves of small-scale layoffs. Memory maker Micron has also reportedly included Taiwan in its global personnel reduction plan. Qualcomm announced during its last financial report conference that it would be laying off staff across all departments worldwide as part of its cost-cutting measures. This includes the recently expanded team in Taiwan. The key point to follow from now on is whether Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturers will have the opportunity to attract talent back as a result of these layoffs by American companies.
Made-in-China quality not good enough? Huawei buying up IDM memory products
After being sanctioned by the US in 2020, Huawei has never stopped using DRAM and NAND Flash products from integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Kioxia, and even Micron. What made that interesting is that memory products from local brands such as YMTC and CXMT have never been found inside any Huawei devices.
South Korean semiconductor firms advised to change China market strategy in face of US guardrail final rules
Since currently 85% of the output of the Korean semiconductor company's mature-node capacity in China is sold to be used in end products assembled in China, they will receive less negative impact on this part of their business. A South Korean microelectronics and packaging expert pointed out that South Korean semiconductors should reconsider changing the product portfolios in their China fabs to meet the local market demand.
US restricts legacy chip production for quantum in China, but is it too late?
The US Department of Commerce announced the final rule implementing the national security guardrails of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act on September 22, classifying quantum chip production in "countries of concern". However, in January 2023, China media reported that Origin Quantum Computer's first quantum chip production line was in full swing and invited local media to visit. China's newest quantum computer "Wukong" was originally scheduled to launch in July 2023. But so far there has not been any update about the device as Information about China's tech progress has become more opaque.
Huawei building its own OS to break away from reliance on US software, said Ren Zhengfei
Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei previously stated that with the US expected to expand its sanctions, tough times are still ahead for Huawei. In response, it will focus on building a non-US alternative ecosystem by making its self-developed HarmonyOS and EulerOS available to more partners. Ren Zhengfei emphasized that Huawei will continue to invest tens of thousands of personnel and billions of US dollars annually in the development of these two major operating systems, despite both of them being open source.
Smartwatches with satellite connectivity catching eyes on Huawei autumn product launch
During Huawei's autumn product unveiling, in addition to the Mate 60 RS smartphone and an array of smart devices; it also showed on its latest smartwatch, equipped with dual-way BeiDou satellite communication. This marks Huawei's second venture into devices with satellite communication capabilities following their initial smartwatch launch in early 2023.
Credit: DIGITIMES
