China is set to issue a policy to promote the use of open-source RISC-V chip technology nationwide, aiming to reduce its reliance on Western-owned tech. This initiative, expected to be released as early as this month, is being developed by multiple government bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The policy will encourage the adoption of RISC-V, a cost-effective and geopolitically neutral alternative to proprietary chip technologies like x86 and Arm, which are dominated by U.S. companies.
RISC-V’s open-source nature makes it an appealing option for Chinese tech companies, as it allows greater control over chip design without the need for costly licenses. Chinese state entities and research institutes have already begun integrating RISC-V into their operations, particularly for less-complex devices such as smartphones and AI processors. However, the Chinese government has not yet explicitly included RISC-V in its official policies, despite its growing usage.
The shift towards RISC-V has raised concerns in the United States, particularly as tensions over technology between the U.S. and China continue to escalate. U.S. lawmakers have been pushing for restrictions on American companies working with RISC-V due to fears that China could exploit the open-source technology to advance its own semiconductor industry. The geopolitical stakes surrounding this transition highlight the increasing role of technology in international relations.
Several Chinese companies, including Alibaba’s XuanTie and startup Nuclei System Technology, are leading the charge in developing and selling RISC-V processors. Additionally, AI startups like DeepSeek are contributing to the growing demand for RISC-V, as their models perform well on less-powerful chips, making the technology an attractive option for smaller companies looking to integrate AI while managing costs. This policy shift could further solidify RISC-V’s role in China’s tech ecosystem, potentially challenging Western chipmakers’ dominance.
SOURCE: REUTERS