U.S. tech curbs threaten China's quest for chip independence

Limiting access to American talent hinders sector's expansion and development

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A U.S. research firm expects China to attain 50% self-sufficiency in chip supplies by 2030, up from 24% in 2021. © Reuters

SHUNSUKE TABETA, Nikkei staff writer

November 3, 2022 00:58 JST

SHANGHAI -- China has stepped up efforts in chip development and production under President Xi Jinping's directive to boost self-sufficiency in the sector, but the initiative faces headwinds amid a talent drain from sweeping U.S. restrictions on sensitive technology.

At chip industry group SEMI's annual conference here this week, UNISOC Chairman Wu Shengwu set out an ambitious vision of the Chinese mobile chip company's growth plans.