April
Semiconductor Major Events
Monthly IC Events Summary
Hot Trends
Shanghai: Support for Accelerated Authorization of Patent Applications in the AI Field
On April 22, the Shanghai Municipal Government held a press conference to introduce the promotion of high-level reform and opening up in the construction of a strong intellectual property city. Rui Wenbiao, Director of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Bureau, stated that to improve the intellectual property protection mechanism in the field of artificial intelligence, Shanghai established a specialized committee for AI intellectual property protection last July, forming a pool of experts to support patent infringement determination consultations and strengthening technical support for intellectual property protection in the AI field.
Rui Wenbiao introduced that to optimize service supply and enhance protection effectiveness, the International Patent Classification (IPC) of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center has been further expanded to support the accelerated authorization of patents in the AI field. At the same time, leveraging the characteristics of high efficiency, low cost, strong professionalism, and simple procedures in administrative adjudication of patent infringement disputes, the center aims to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of patent holders in the AI field; it will also carry out pilot projects for intellectual property registration of data products to promote the orderly circulation of data elements and fully realize data value, aiding the development of the AI industry.
Top Prize of 30 Million: Beijing Introduces Eight Measures to Strengthen AI Application Service Capabilities
On April 8, the “Beijing Action Plan to Support Information Software Enterprises in Strengthening AI Application Service Capabilities (2025)” was issued, proposing support for MaaS enterprises to gather and develop in Beijing, promoting the development of industry model capabilities for information software enterprises, supporting the development of general intelligent agents, implementing intelligent technological transformation projects for information software enterprises, enhancing data governance capabilities, accelerating the construction of a new open-source ecosystem, improving AI service capabilities for small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthening training in AI application capabilities.
Among these, in response to the intelligent application needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, a batch of intelligent products with functions such as large model deployment, fine-tuning of large models, development toolchains, data governance, or auxiliary software development will be solicited. Qualified products will be included in the support range of service vouchers for small and medium-sized enterprises, with a maximum subsidy of no more than 200,000 yuan for their use.
Ministry of Commerce Holds Roundtable with US-funded Enterprises, Representatives from Over 20 Companies Including Tesla Attend
On April 6, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy Representative for International Trade Negotiations Ling Ji hosted a roundtable with US-funded enterprises, attended by representatives from over 20 US-funded companies including Tesla, GE Healthcare, and Medtronic.
Ling Ji emphasized that in recent days, the US has announced tariffs on all trading partners, including China, under various pretexts, severely damaging the multilateral trade system based on rules and infringing on the legitimate rights and interests of various countries. The Chinese government strongly condemns this and firmly opposes it, having taken decisive measures in response. The countermeasures taken by China are aimed at firmly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises, including US-funded enterprises, and urging the US to return to the correct path of the multilateral trade system. The root of the tariff issue lies with the US, and it is hoped that US-funded enterprises will trace the source, clarify the cause and effect, voice rational opinions, and take pragmatic actions to jointly maintain the stability of the global supply chain and promote win-win cooperation.
Industry Chain Dynamics
STMicroelectronics and Innoscience Sign GaN Technology Development and Manufacturing Agreement
On April 1, STMicroelectronics and Innoscience announced the signing of a GaN technology development and manufacturing agreement.
According to the agreement, both parties will collaborate to advance the joint development plan for GaN power technology and promote its widespread application in consumer electronics, data centers, automotive, and industrial power systems in the coming years. Additionally, as per the agreement, Innoscience can utilize STMicroelectronics’ front-end manufacturing capacity outside of China to produce its GaN wafers, while STMicroelectronics can leverage Innoscience’s front-end manufacturing capacity in China to produce its own GaN wafers.
New Investment of 310 Million: SAIC Infineon Expands Power Semiconductor Project in Wuxi
Recently, SAIC Infineon publicly announced the environmental assessment report for the expansion of the power semiconductor module production line project in Wuxi, with a total new investment of 310 million yuan. According to the announcement, the project is planned to be located at the Wuxi branch, adding a production capacity of 1.5 million units for second-generation frame-type power modules. Upon completion of the expansion, the annual production capacity of SAIC Infineon’s Wuxi branch will increase from the current 2.6 million to 4.2 million units.
Public information shows that SAIC Infineon was established in March 2018 as a joint venture between SAIC Group (holding 51%) and Infineon (holding 49%), headquartered in Shanghai.
Zhongwei Company Signs Agreement for Micromachining Equipment R&D Center Project in Nanchang
On April 7, the signing ceremony for the micromachining equipment R&D center project of Zhongwei Semiconductor Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was held in Nanchang.
It is reported that Zhongwei will increase its R&D investment in the Nanchang High-tech Zone, further promoting the development of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and processes related to advanced packaging industries, the development of third-generation semiconductor (SiC and GaN) power device manufacturing equipment and processes, and the application promotion of MOCVD equipment for Micro LED and performance enhancement for Mini LED.
Industry Attention
Urgent Notice from the China Semiconductor Industry Association: New Regulations on Origin Certification for Integrated Circuits: Fabrication Location Recognized as Origin
On April 11, the China Semiconductor Industry Association announced that according to the relevant regulations of the General Administration of Customs, the origin of “integrated circuits” is determined based on the four-digit tariff number change principle, meaning that the fabrication location is recognized as the origin. Please pay attention.
US Department of Commerce: New Export License Requirements for Nvidia H20 and AMD MI308 Chips to China
On April 15, local time, the US Department of Commerce announced new export license requirements for Nvidia’s H20 and AMD’s MI308 artificial intelligence chips and similar products to China.
A spokesperson for the US Department of Commerce stated: “The US Department of Commerce is committed to implementing Trump’s directives to safeguard our national and economic security.”
Founder of Shanghai Zhongwei Semiconductor, Yin Zhiyiao, Renounces US Citizenship to Restore Chinese Nationality
On April 18, media reports indicated that Yin Zhiyiao, founder, chairman, and CEO of Shanghai Zhongwei Electronics, has renounced his US citizenship to restore his Chinese nationality.
Yin Zhiyiao previously worked for Applied Materials, Lam Research, and Intel, and was identified as a US citizen in the annual reports of Zhongwei Semiconductor for 2022, 2021, and 2020, while the 2023 annual report did not disclose Yin Zhiyiao’s nationality.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: 5G Mobile Phone Shipments from January to February Reach 41.619 Million Units
The State Council Information Office held a press conference to introduce the development of industry and information technology in the first quarter of 2025.
In terms of electronic product consumption, the benefits of the expanded new purchase subsidy policy continue to be released, effectively boosting consumer demand. Driven by subsidy policies and AI terminals, consumer enthusiasm for electronic products in China has increased, accelerating the production and sales of electronic complete machines. In the first quarter, the production of electronic computers reached 85.322 million units, a year-on-year increase of 9.6%; the total shipment of televisions reached 8.84 million units, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%, marking two consecutive quarters of positive growth; from January to February, 5G mobile phone shipments reached 41.619 million units, a year-on-year increase of 7.6%, with domestic brand mobile phones particularly favored by consumers, accounting for 85% of the shipment volume. The sales boom of complete machines has also led to a slight increase in the production of upstream electronic components, with integrated circuits and optoelectronic devices growing by 6% and 3.5% year-on-year, respectively.
Source: Jiwei Network
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Haimen Jiwei Industry Innovation Base
The Haimen Jiwei Industry Innovation Base is located in the Haimen Economic and Technological Development Zone, co-built by the Haimen Economic and Technological Development Zone and the ICT industry consulting service organization Aijwei. The base focuses on providing services during the landing preparation period for “mature projects” and supporting consulting services after landing, aiming to cultivate more specialized, refined, and innovative enterprises and high-tech enterprises, promoting the development of the Haimen semiconductor industry chain, and establishing a “Haimen landmark” in the Chinese integrated circuit industry landscape.