Source:
https://scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3118327/china-boosts-semiconductor-production-2020-imports-keep-apace
Tech/ Policy

China boosts semiconductor production in 2020, but imports keep apace, frustrating self-sufficiency goals

  • Integrated circuits, industrial robots and new energy vehicles saw double-digit growth in 2020, according to the National Bureau of Statistics
  • While China is pushing for technological self-sufficiency, some analysts say the country remains far from its goal
China’s production of integrated circuits accelerated in 2020 despite setbacks from tightening US restrictions. Photo: Shutterstock

China’s production of integrated circuits and industrial robots surged in 2020, as the country boosted its output of hi-tech products amid tighter US restrictions, according to official industrial statistics. A similar growth rate in imported chips, however, suggests China remains far from its goal of self-sufficiency in the critical technology.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released new data on Monday that showed the US blacklisting of Chinese tech champions like Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) and Huawei Technologies Co. has not dampened output.