Global Semiconductor Industry Updates

1. The semiconductor industry is expected to launch 18 new wafer fab construction projects in 2025. These new projects include three 200 mm and fifteen 300 mm facilities, with most of them anticipated to begin operations between 2026 and 2027.

2. The U.S. has introduced new regulations on AI chip manufacturing, which set a cap on the computing power of chips sold by American companies to most countries. This temporary final rule has not yet officially taken effect, and businesses will have a 120-day comment period.

3. According to Counterpoint Research, the smartphone industry is expected to see an 8% year-on-year revenue growth in 2025, with an approximate 4% increase in shipments.

4. The U.S. and Japan have imposed strict export bans on semiconductor valves and related equipment and components to China, intensifying the urgency for domestic alternatives.

5. On January 17, Kinghelm (www.kinghelm.com.cn) and the overseas business division of Slkor held the "2024 Annual Work Summary and 2025 Work Plan Conference," where Director Qiu Huilin and Manager Song Yuanming led the work report and attentively listened to the team's reports.

6. Chip technology supplier Arm Holdings (Arm) is formulating a long-term strategy to increase its chip design licensing fees by up to 300% and is considering developing chips independently.

China Semiconductor Industry Updates

1. The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronics (CCCME) supports the Chinese semiconductor industry in legally safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.

2. The "Technical Requirements for Small Chip Interface Bus" developed by the Wuxi Xinguang Interconnect Technology Research Institute has been selected as one of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s typical cases for the application and promotion of industry group standards.

3. The mandatory national standard "Safety Technical Specifications for Electric Bicycles" (GB 17761—2024) was officially issued on December 31, 2024, and will be implemented on September 1, 2025. The previous standard (GB 17761—2018) will be replaced.

4. TSMC will produce the world’s most advanced 2nm technology at its second wafer fab in Arizona, which is expected to begin production in 2028.

5. The smartphone brand Vivo leads the 2024 market with a 17% share, shipping 49.3 million units and maintaining the position of the top domestic smartphone brand for four consecutive years.

6. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has added several Chinese and Singaporean entities to the Entity List, including companies such as Qu Liang Electronics, Suan Neng Technology, Zhipu, and Keyi Hongyuan from China.