Alibaba unveils first microchip as China aims for self-sufficiency

Open-source design seen as beyond reach of US sanctions

20190725 alibaba main

Alibaba’s new processor could help it to follow in the footsteps of Britain’s Arm Holdings.

COCO LIU and CHENG TING-FANG, Nikkei staff writers

HONG KONG/TAIPEI -- Alibaba Group Holding has unveiled its first self-designed microprocessor, potentially marking a key step in China's efforts to promote chip self-sufficiency amid clashes with the U.S. over access to technology.

The new processor could be adopted by Chinese device makers to power smart speakers, self-driving cars or other internet-connected equipment requiring high-performance computing, Alibaba said at an event on Thursday.

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