Characteristics and Strategic Significance of IC Industry

IC technology has both strategic and marketable dual characteristics. The former displays strategically the importance of electronic content is so high and critical, including (1) in national information security of political, economic, and military aspects; and (2) in national defense system, such as weapons equipment, spacecraft, satellites, etc. The latter manifests IC applications in the core of the Internet and the Internet of Thing, through network, routers with chips and operating systems, and these essential devices. It is acclaimed that IC is yet a middle-product, and the end-user determines the market needs. Market driving force and technology progress have been promoting IC development and application. China consumed 474.2 billion pieces of IC products (72% imported) in 2016, this consumption is estimated for a total production by 237 12″-fabs, each to run at 30,000 WPM and to produce 2 billion chips per year. In 2021, the import value of IC in China was $433B, for a total 538.4 billion pieces, displaying continuously a tremendous impact on IC market. Therefore, IC industry results in values and leading forward the development of technology, such as in the green economy, social and cultural life.