Published: 14:36, October 15, 2025 | Updated: 19:42, October 15, 2025
Flagship semiconductor expo boosts industry integration in GBA
By Zhou Mo and Li Bingcun in Shenzhen
An opening ceremony of the second SEMiBAY Semiconductor Ecosystem Expo in Shenzhen is held on Oct 15, 2025. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The United States’ technological curbs on China’s semiconductor industry will only accelerate its development as market players throughout the industry chain step up efforts at finding technological breakthroughs to break away from overseas reliance and achieve self-sufficiency, industry insiders said on Wednesday. 

The insiders have high hopes that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s potential at driving industry growth, with the region’s policy support, sound industrial chain and favorable business environment.

The remarks were made at the second SEMiBAY Semiconductor Ecosystem Expo, which opened in Shenzhen on Wednesday.

The second SEMiBAY Semiconductor Ecosystem Expo is held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center on Oct 15, 2025, featuring 600 exhibitors around the world. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

With a rich selection of new products and touting key policy announcements, the three-day event is expected to promote the integration of the semiconductor industry chain in the Greater Bay Area.

Zhou Zhiwei, director of precision stage and sorting research and development center at Shenzhen Han's Semiconductor Equipment & Technology Co Ltd, said the US move to restrict semiconductor exports to China is “not a bad thing” for the Asian country.

“The move has enabled China to run faster in closing the technological gap by pouring greater efforts on R&D,” he said.

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Although the Greater Bay Area has historically lagged behind the Yangtze River Delta in the semiconductor industry development, the southern region is rapidly catching up, Zhou said.

The expo is a testament to the Shenzhen government’s determination to bolster the industry by integrating upstream, midstream and downstream industry players, he added.

Located in Guangzhou’s Nansha district, the company's semiconductor business generated 600 million yuan ($84 million) in annual operating revenue last year.

“Nansha government has offered us various preferential policies, and we can also find supply chain partners easily in the region, which helps us lower costs and enhance efficiency,” Zhou said.

Visitors gather at the booth of SiCarrier, a rising semiconductor manufacturer based in Shenzhen, at the second SEMiBAY Semiconductor Ecosystem Expo, on Oct 15, 2025. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

CR Micro, known as China’s first listed IDM (integrated design and manufacturing) firm, said it has achieved full independence throughout its industrial chain.

A company representative said its power devices, from production to packaging, are fully processed in in-house factories without the need for outsourcing, ensuring product stability and cost advantages.

The company’s annual sales has so far exceeded 10 billion yuan, with the domestic market accounting for over 90 percent of that figure.

“Against the backdrop of trade frictions, we have quickly achieved localized substitution, addressing the issue of chip supply shortages from Europe and the United States,” the representative said.

Yuan Yi, president of Shenzhen Qiyunfang Technology’s electronic design automation business unit, said the company has made a major breakthrough in addressing the shortage in China’s semiconductor and electronic industrial software, with the launch of two domestically developed EDA software tools for electronic engineering.

EDA tools, which are the cornerstone of chip and electronic design, are widely used in chip design, chip packaging and PCB design processes.

“EDA software from European and American manufacturers has long dominated the Chinese market, leaving the domestic industry dependent on foreign EDA design tools,” Yuan said.

“The development marks a significant milestone in the industry’s independent growth.”

This year’s exhibition covers over 60,000 square meters and has attracted more than 600 leading companies and academic institutions from over 20 countries.

Contact the writer at bingcun@chinadailyhk.com