China ramps chip push
China is accelerating domestic chip-equipment investment at SEMICON China 2026 as AI demand pushes local suppliers to scale up and narrow the hardware gap with the U.S. — and Beijing has simultaneously opened a formal probe into U.S. trade barriers on green products, raising the risk of retaliatory measures that could splinter climate-tech supply chains. Analysts say the twin moves—bigger domestic semiconductor capacity plus a trade investigation—signal Beijing is weaponizing industrial policy and trade tools to blunt U.S. restrictions and protect homegrown AI ambitions. (digitimes.com) (digitimes.com)
SEMICON China ran March 25–27, 2026 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, bringing together global suppliers, fabs and equipment makers for three days of industry programming. (semiconchina.org) Beijing-based Naura reportedly showcased its 12-inch Qomola HPD30 hybrid-bonding system and completed customer-side die‑to‑wafer verification, while AMEC unveiled four new etch/deposition tools and major test vendors including Teradyne and Advantest highlighted AI-focused test platforms at the show. (trendforce.com) State-linked exhibitors also promoted progress on domestic lithography and high‑volume tooling, with Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment (SMEE) displaying in‑house lithography claims and Chinese exhibitors stressing a shift from prototype work to industrialized production runs. (citynewsservice.cn) Reuters reported Beijing has been requiring chipmakers adding new capacity to prove at least 50% of procured equipment will be domestically made—a rule implemented through state approval processes and relaxed where domestic tools are unavailable, according to people familiar with the policy (Dec. 30, 2025). (marketscreener.com) China’s Ministry of Commerce formally opened the trade‑barrier probe into U.S. measures on “green products” on March 27, 2026, saying the investigation should conclude within six months (with a possible three‑month extension) and giving stakeholders 20 days to submit comments. (mofcom.gov.cn) Bloomberg and industry outlets cite analysts who say the combination of faster domestic equipment deployment and a MOFCOM probe creates a legal and policy toolkit Beijing can use to blunt U.S. export controls and defend its AI and cleantech supply chains, noting the probe’s timing ahead of an expected U.S.–China summit in May. (bloomberg.com)
