History of Semiconductor Fab Plants in China from 60s to 2025: Few Micron node Low volume to 5 nm mega Foundries

China's semiconductor fabrication industry has evolved from modest, state-driven beginnings in the mid-20th century to a major global force by 2025. Massive state investments, foreign partnerships, and a drive for self-reliance have fueled this growth, with research institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) playing a foundational role in basic and applied research.

While China consumes over 50% of global semiconductors, domestic production historically lagged, with imports exceeding 80% as recently as 2020. Through policies like Made in China 2025 and the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund ("Big Fund"), China has expanded capacity, especially in mature and specialty nodes, though leading-edge fabrication faces international restrictions.

 Early Foundations and the Role of Research Institutions (1950s–1980s)

China's semiconductor efforts began in the 1950s–1960s, initially for military and strategic needs, including atomic bombs and computing. Key research bodies under the CAS laid the groundwork:

- The Institute of Semiconductors (IOS), CAS, founded in Beijing in 1960, became one of China's primary bases for semiconductor science and technology. It produced main...