Just a few days ago, the Chinese chip manufacturing giant SMIC officially announced that the company's series of technological breakthroughs are expected to replace TSMC in many fields and become the world's largest foundry!
As soon as the news came out, it immediately caused an uproar. People exclaimed that Chinese chip people are proving to the world: as long as you make up your mind, nothing is impossible!
You must know that in the field of global semiconductor foundry, SMIC has always been regarded as TSMC's catch-up. Despite the rapid development in recent years, there is still a big gap with its competitors in terms of advanced processes and wafer production capacity.
Last month, TSMC just mass-produced 3nm chips, while SMIC's mainstream process is still stuck at 14nm. In the eyes of many, narrowing the gap with TSMC is a long way off.
However, SMIC's latest developments have broken everyone's expectations. According to official disclosure, the company has developed a 7nm process with a yield rate of more than 95%, several months ahead of industry expectations.
What's even more exciting is that the first batch of products using the 7nm process has been successfully taped out, and it can be put into mass production as soon as Q4 this year. This means that SMIC is expected to be among the top three foundries in the world.
SMIC's technological breakthrough is no accident. This is the crystallization of decades of struggle in China's chip industry, and it is the confirmation of countless scientific researchers. Over the years, SMIC has always adhered to independent innovation and open cooperation, from 0.35μm to 28nm, from wafer foundry to advanced packaging, step by step, forging ahead.
Even in the adversity of the United States suppression and the raging epidemic, it still did not stop the pace of overcoming difficulties. It is precisely with this tenacity of "insisting on the green mountains and not relaxing" that there is today's counterattack of "another village"!
According to the analysis of industry insiders, SMIC's "corner overtaking" not only benefited from the strong support of the national industrial policy, but also highlighted the increasing improvement of China's chip industry chain.
On the one hand, the National Integrated Circuit Fund and the Science and Technology Innovation Board have provided SMIC with strong financial support. On the other hand, the increase in the localization rate of upstream materials and equipment has also cleared the way for SMIC's technological innovation. It is foreseeable that under the two-wheel drive of "industrial chain" and "capital chain", the "Chinese core speed" of China's chip foundry will be faster and faster!
At the same time, SMIC is also accelerating the deployment of next-generation processes. It is reported that the company has started the research and development of 5nm process and reached strategic cooperation with domestic equipment and material manufacturers. Some analysts believe that with the help of the 5nm process, SMIC is expected to further narrow the gap with TSMC and even achieve corner overtaking.
After all, emerging fields such as 5G, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are increasingly demanding advanced manufacturing processes. Taking the lead in breaking through 5nm means seizing the commanding heights of the future market.
In this regard, Wang Xiaofeng, a well-known industry observer, commented: "The rise of SMIC is not only a victory for one company, but also a reflection of the overall strength of China's semiconductor industry.
After decades of accumulation, China's chip industry has begun to have the ability to 'lead'. In the future, with the acceleration of the pace of independent controllability, China will occupy an increasingly important position in the global semiconductor map. "
Of course, SMIC still needs to make arduous efforts to benchmark TSMC. In addition to the advanced manufacturing process, there is still a certain gap between the two sides in terms of customer resources and management experience. However, SMIC has proved with its strength that no matter how big the gap is, there will be a day when it catches up. TSMC's today is SMIC's tomorrow.
As long as we have the sense of danger of "being prepared for danger in times of peace, and if we do not advance, we will retreat", and uphold the fearless spirit of "knowing that there are tigers in the mountains and preferring to go to the tiger mountains", there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome.
Have you ever been moved by SMIC's path of change? As a witness to the rise of China's chip power, what are your expectations for this "corner overtaking"? You might as well speak freely in the comment area, and let's cheer for China Chip together!
The mountain is high and the road is far away, and the wind is strong sailing. Standing at the historical intersection of the "two hundred years", in the midst of great changes unseen in a century, the mission of promoting China's chip industry to the world's first phalanx is undoubtedly extremely arduous, but it is also extremely glorious.
Let us work with SMIC to open up a new situation in the face of adversity, cultivate new opportunities in the crisis, and write a magnificent epic of the rise of China's chip industry with rock-solid determination and indestructible will! I believe that in the near future, when SMIC stands proudly at the top of the global chip map, every one of us witnesses will be extremely proud to say: I have participated in this great era change!