China’s New Five-Year Plan for Electronic Industry to Achieve Self-Sufficiency in Chips, AI, and Advanced Computing by 2030

Original article: China y el nuevo plan quinquenal de industria electrónica hacia 2030: autosuficiencia en chips, IA y computación avanzada

The Chinese government has unveiled an ambitious five-year plan for the electronics manufacturing sector, targeting self-sufficiency in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and green technologies by 2030. This new roadmap aims to position China as a global powerhouse while reducing reliance on critical foreign technologies.

By Bruno Sommer

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China has released a comprehensive planning document outlining the development of the electronics manufacturing industry for the «15th Five-Year Plan» period (2026-2030). This ambitious program is designed to solidify China’s status as a leading force in the sector and decrease its dependence on vital foreign technologies.

Titled «Development Plan for the Electronics Manufacturing Industry ’15th Five-Year Plan'», the document sets concrete objectives: by 2030, industry revenue should exceed 30 trillion yuan (approximately 4.1 trillion USD), while R&D investment intensity must reach 3.5%.

Self-sufficiency in Semiconductors: A Strategic Priority

Central to the plan is the development of the integrated circuits supply chain. China aims to advance high-performance processors, high-density memory, and reliable analog and mixed-signal chips. The strategy includes bolstering the production of broadband semiconductors (like silicon carbide and gallium nitride) and promoting the industrialization of ultra-wide materials like gallium oxide and diamond.

Among the specific goals is the development of electronic design automation (EDA) tools and intellectual property (IP) cores, as well as enhancing 3D integration and advanced packaging. The document recognizes the importance of «improving mature process capabilities and increasing advanced process capacities» amid technological restrictions imposed by the United States.

Advanced Computing and Artificial Intelligence

Chapters of the plan are dedicated to advanced computing and artificial intelligence. The proposal includes building a heterogeneous computing ecosystem, developing microarchitectures for training and inference of large AI models, and advancing technologies such as quantum computing, photonic computing, neuromorphic computing, and spatial computing.

Regarding AI hardware, the document highlights the necessity to «strengthen the coordination between AI chips and complete products,» develop cloud training and edge inference devices, and solidify the application scale of AI chips. It also mentions the establishment of standards for a unified high-speed interconnect protocol (CLink) and the creation of an intelligence classification system for AI terminals.

Consumer Electronics and Emerging Sectors

The plan addresses innovation in consumer electronics, with a focus on high-end smartphones, personal computers, virtual and augmented reality, wearables, and service terminals. The integration of technologies such as flexible displays, advanced packaging, and high-density circuit design is encouraged.

In the energy sector, it promotes the technological iteration of crystalline silicon solar cells and the development of tandem perovskite cells, alongside advancements in solid-state, sodium, and flow batteries. The document also outlines developing the spatiotemporal information industry, including applications for Beidou, satellite internet, and direct satellite communications.

Industrial Electronics and Sectoral Applications

The plan identifies key sectors for the application of electronic technologies: smart cities, agriculture, autonomous driving, healthcare, low-altitude economy, aerospace, and marine electronics. It aims to develop integrated hardware and software systems for these verticals, providing specific solutions to drive the digital transformation of the economy.

Sustainability and Governance

Emphasizing sustainability, the document promotes the carbon footprint of electronic products, the management of lithium battery and solar panel waste, and the circular economy. In terms of governance, it discusses the need to «comprehensively address unfair competition» and avoid «excessive internal competition» (内卷式竞争), a phenomenon impacting various Chinese industrial sectors.

The plan acknowledges the importance of «coordinating national and international markets» and actively participating in international standardization. However, it also outlines the need to «enhance assessment and response capabilities to containment and repression risks» in critical areas and improve measures against sanctions and extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Implementation

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will oversee the execution of the plan in coordination with other ministries. The use of existing funds for strategic tasks, developing talent through integrating education, science, and technology, and collaborating with financial institutions to support the sector is anticipated.

The document concludes by highlighting the importance of «Party leadership» and the need to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the plan, involving industry associations and chambers of commerce.

By Bruno Sommer

This article is based on the official document «Development Plan for the Electronics Manufacturing Industry ’15th Five-Year Plan'» published by the Chinese government.