The microelectronics and integrated circuits, or IC, industry at Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries saw a 2.5-fold increase in output value from 2014 to 2018, making it a key industrial chain in Xiamen, Fujian province, local media reported on Sept 25.

Over the past five years, the production value of the integrated circuits industry grew from 5.03 billion yuan ($706.79 million) to 17.8 billion yuan.

As early as 2014, the Xiamen high tech zone started constructing an entire IC industrial chain.

This attracted Taiwan United Microelectronics Corporation, or UMC, a leading global semiconductor foundry, to locate there and the zone funded the first 12-inch wafer factory with the company.

Driven by UMC, the one billion yuan SigmaStar IC Industry Park settled in the Xiamen Torch Development Zone and posted revenue of 200 million yuan in 2018.

In the same year, artificial intelligent chips developed by Unisound, a unicorn company in the AI industry, were put into mass production. This led to the Xiamen high tech zone becoming one of the best performers in China’s IC industry, officials said.

According to official data, Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries now houses nearly 200 IC and support companies covering chip design, wafer manufacturing, package test and applications.

In addition, the high tech zone has also rolled out a series of preferential policies involving industrial platforms and high-profile professionals to boost the development of its IC industry.

In the future, the Xiamen high tech zone aims to construct itself into a major zone for the IC industry in China, officials said.

To realize that goal, it plans to develop other associated industries, including panel displays, software and information services, as well as computer and communications equipment, while promoting the broader development of its IC industry.

Xiamen showcases its achievements in the IC industry at IC China 2019, an expo recently held in Shanghai. [Photo/IC]