Plans in place to develop chips denied to ZTE by U.S. sanctions

China laid out plans for the research and development of the type of chips involved in the ZTE ban during the 12th and 13th five-year development plans, reports People's Daily. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced its decision to sanction ZTE earlier this week by banning the export of hardware and software to the telecommunications manufacturer. 

View of a signboard of ZTE during an exhibition in Nanjing, Jiangsu province [File photo: IC]

Zhu Ninghua, program leader of the photoelectron and microelectronics project for the 13th five-year plan, says China has achieved breakthroughs in key technologies for advanced photo-electronic devices. Zhu added that a clear aim and comprehensive plan will allow China to make up for its shortcomings in the research and development of advanced chips within five years. 

Chinese-made chips for mobile devices currently account for more than one-fifth of the global market share.

Meanwhile, China has been picking up speed in building advanced integrated circuit production lines, which has led to growth in supporting industries, including equipment and materials.