China Prepares Policy to Promote RISC-V Chips for National Use

Beijing aims to reduce reliance on foreign chip technologies by encouraging adoption of open-source RISC-V architecture.

China is drafting its first official policy to promote the nationwide use of RISC-V chips, with guidance expected to be released as early as this month, though the exact timeline remains uncertain.
The initiative is being developed by eight government agencies, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Cyberspace Administration of China, as part of broader efforts to achieve semiconductor self-sufficiency.
RISC-V's open-source nature offers a cost-effective alternative to proprietary architectures like x86 and Arm, aligning with China's goal to reduce dependence on Western-owned technologies.
Major Chinese companies, including Alibaba's XuanTie, are already investing in RISC-V processors, with applications ranging from AI to cloud computing, though challenges remain in building a robust software ecosystem.
The policy reflects growing U.S.-China tensions over technology, as U.S. lawmakers express concerns about China's use of RISC-V to advance its semiconductor capabilities.