A worker tests semiconductor chips in a factory in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu Province, on April 14, 2023. Photo: VCG

Domestic CPU developers need not only deliver top-notch technical products but also prioritize ecological development, nurturing a prosperous industry and ecosystem on domestic hardware and software so as to enhance the competitiveness of China’s semiconductors in the international market, a Chinese political advisor said during the ongoing annual two sessions.

Integrated circuits (IC), as the cornerstone of the technology industry, will serve as the vanguard of new quality productive forces, Guo Yufeng, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and vice general manager of Tianjin-based Phytium Technology Co, said in a proposal submitted to the CPPCC National Committee.

As this year’s Government Work Report noted, one of this year’s primary objectives is to actively advance the construction of a modern industrial system and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. “This is closely related to the IC research and development industry that we are engaged in,” Guo told the Global Times on Thursday.

Phytium is an independent core chip provider in China and currently provides four series of CPU products, including high-performance server CPU and high-efficiency desktop CPU.

“As a ‘national team’ in the independent development of core semiconductors, our priority is to continuously enhance our innovative capabilities,” Guo said.

“Only by consistently advancing core technologies, enhancing the performance and competitiveness of our domestically-produced CPUs, and driving industrial development can we effectively lead the way,” he noted.

The second focus is to drive the development of the ecosystem and industrial chain. “We can only showcase our technological advantages by consistently enriching the ecosystem of domestic chips,” Guo said.

Furthermore, it is essential to further strengthen cooperation between industry, academia, research, and application, as mentioned in the Government Work Report, he said.

CPUs serve as the core processors in computers and servers. Against the backdrop of current geopolitical dynamics, the development of domestic CPUs is of great concern.

A major challenge lies in the existing barriers within the traditional foreign ecosystem. For instance, the Wintel ecosystem under the X86 architecture enjoys the largest ecological support network, presenting a significant barrier for the development of China’s CPU industry, Guo said.

On the other hand, the foreign ecosystem is already quite mature, so it not only has historical assets but is also rapidly advancing. “While we are catching up, they are also moving forward. Therefore, if this process is not managed well, the gap between us and them will continue to widen,” Guo explained.

It is important to opt for a mainstream technological path to drive the independent development of CPUs. And pursuing an open approach to attract more ecosystem partners to collaborate is the only way to foster vitality and facilitate growth and expansion of the industry, Guo stressed.

In his proposal, Guo also called for cultivation of high-quality talent for the IC industry.

The development of industries representing new productive forces, such as artificial intelligence, brain-machine interfaces, new types of displays, and smart manufacturing, is inseparable from high-end chips, he said.

To tackle the severe challenges in talent development faced by the IC industry, it is imperative to swiftly establish a high-quality talent cultivation system that aligns with the requirements of developing new quality productive forces, Guo said.

Specific recommendations include strengthening the formulation of policies for the systematic cultivation of high-quality talent and attracting talent to strategic and pioneering industries.

It is necessary to carry out systematic reforms in the training of professionals in higher education disciplines and ensure effective alignment between talent training and industry demand, Guo noted.

In 2022, the scale of China’s CPU industry reached 200.35 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth rate of 10 percent. It is projected that by 2025, it will reach 280 billion yuan, with an average annual compound growth rate of 8 percent, according to media reports.